LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



Shelf X.-6-& 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



"WOMAN'S MOISTITOE. 



BY 



F. W. ENTRIKIN, M. D., 

MEMBER N. W. O. M. A., PHYSICIAN TO GREEN SFRINGS MEDICAL AND 
SURGICAL SANITARIUM, ETC. 



Women of America, seek to add to a knowledge of God a knowledge of 
yourselves, that your lives may be brought to harmonize with his laws. 



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GREEN SPRINGS, O.: 
F. W. ENTRIKIN & CO. 

1881. 



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Entered according to the act of Congress, in the year 1881, by 

F. W. ENTRIKIN, M. D., 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, 



PREFACE 



TTAVING ] 3een ac tively engaged in the practice of 
medicine and surgery for many years, it was 
natural we should look closely into the condition of 
those with whom professional duty brought us in con- 
tact. We were early struck with the lack of correct 
information among the masses on subjects pertaining 
to their own selves, and a want of knowledge among 
women .as to the cause of much suffering among them, 
as well as ignorance as to the best means of prevent- 
ing the many diseases peculiar to the female organism. 
We have also been grieved to find young mothers so 
poorly prepared to understand the wants and capaci- 
ties of young children. These considerations have 
induced us to lay before the American public the 
present work. 

While such a multitude of books from the ever- 
teeming press are forced upon the notice of the peo- 
ple, an apology might appear due from us for claim- 
ing their attention. I would only say that we have 

3 



4 PREFACE. 

long sought, and as yet found but few f books suited to 
the capacities of the general reader, upon the topics 
discussed in these pages; books upon whose scien- 
tific accuracy women can rely, and such as we can 
place in the hands of our patients, confident that 
they would find, by ready reference, truthful sug- 
gestions as to the management of themselves and 
their offspring. It is our desire in these pages, in 
a brief and pointed manner, to convey the latest in- 
telligence known to the profession upon many subjects. 
It is not our design to make mothers their own 
physicians, but to assist them to distinguish between 
the professional gentleman and the impostor, to co- 
operate with the family physician in the prevention 
and cure of disease, and to enable mothers to place 
in the hands of their daughters, before they leave 
the maternal roof, a book that will assist to prepare 
them for the high duties of coming years. It often 
happens that the physician is not consulted until ma- 
tured disease has done its deadly work. Gradually 
developing, its premonitory symptoms are overlooked; 
stealthily advancing, it plants its poisoned arrow deep 
in the constitution of its victim, from which, perchance, 
no skill can extract it. To arrest this stealthy march, 
to point out those premonitory symptoms, and thus 
put mothers upon their guard, we send these hints 



PREFACE. 5 

and precepts forth, alike to the palace of the rich 
and the hovel of the poor, hoping they may prove a 
blessing to thousands who now live and to multiplied 
thousands yet unborn. We frequently see in the 
hands of mothers small works written by designing 
men upon some of the diseases of women. So far as 
we have observed such they have pandered to low 
tastes and depraved ideas, or puffed some patent nos- 
trum. They usually contain some truth and much 
error, and are calculated to do more harm than good. 
There is no scarcity of high-toned and exhaustive 
works on women and children before the public, in- 
tended for the professional reader. But these are 
too technical and voluminous to be of any practical 
account to the masses. The knowledge of every 
medical man is necessarily made up largely of the 
thoughts and experience of others. And this work, 
designed as a companion for women, will but echo 
the facts and suggestions we have been so often con- 
strained to communicate at the bedside. That the 
book may prove a blessing, is the earnest wish of the 
author. 

On account of the inconvenience of inserting foot- 
notes, referring to the various authorities to which 
we are indebted, we give below a few of the most 
prominent, whose ideas, and possibly at times whose 



6 PREFACE. 

language, we may have adopted, though we have 
endeavored to mark our quotations and give proper 
credit. The following have been invaluable for ref- 
erence: Flint, Bennett, Wood, Watson, Scudder and 
Jones, and Sherwood on the Practice of Medicine; 
Condi and West on Children; Bumstead and Cul- 
lerier on Venereal Diseases; the Indigestions and 
Renewal of Life, by Thomas King Chambers; the 
Surgical Works of Miller, Gross and Smith. In 
the preparation of the pages on diseases of women 
we are indebted to Thomas, Scanzoni, West, Meigs, 
Scudder, King, Dewees, and Brown's Surgical Dis- 
eases of Women; also to Meigs, Byford, and Ben- 
nett on the Uterus; Ashton on Diseases of the Rec- 
tum; Gardner on Sterility, and Acton on the Repro- 
ductive Organs. Among the popular works to which 
we are indebted are "Satan in Society," "Physical 
Life of Women," "Transmission of Life;" "The Pre- 
ventative Obstacle," by Bergeret; "Why Not," by 
Storer, and "The Serpent in the Dove's Nest," by 
Todd; also "Woman and Her Diseases," by Dixon. 
We should like to make honorable mention of many 
other authorities, if space permitted, but it does not. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE9. 

Dress — Bathing — Sleep- Ventilation — Beds — Exercise — Diet — 
The Skin, Treatment of — Chafed Hands — Complexion — 
Freckles— Cracked Lips— The Teeth— Catarrh-The Eyes— 

The Hair 11-42 

General Remarks on Woman and Her Diseases — Menstruation, 
Suppression of — Excessive Menstruation, Painful, etc. — Pu- 
berty, Age of, Care at 43-83 

Secret Vice 83-85 

Change of Life 85-90 

Miscellaneous Diseases of Females — Constipation — Dyspepsia — 
Palpitation of the Heart — Sick Headache — Nervous Head- 
ache — Tympanitis 90-101 

Diseases of the Rectum and Anus — Piles — Fissure of the Anus, 

Fistula of the Anus 102-105 

Kidneys, Chronic Inflammation of — Diseases of the Bladder — 

Diseases of the Urethra 106-107 

Pruritus 107-109 

Genitals, Eruptive Disease of, Inflammation of 109-112 

Diseases of the Neck of the Womb) — Diseases of the Womb — 
Chronic Inflammation of the Womb — Tumors in and about 
the Womb, Polypoid and Cancerous — Products of Concep- 
tion — Displacement of the Womb — Prolapsus of Vagina — 
Vaginal Fistula — Chronic Ovaritis — Pelvic Abscesses — Ova- 
rian Tumors — Leucorrhcea — Gonorrhoea 112-150 

Hysteria — Epileptic Convulsions 150-153 

Diseases of the Breast — Absent from Birth — Atrophy of Breast — 

Tumors of, Cancers of, Excision of— Removal by Caustics . . 153-159 

7 



8 CONTENTS. 

PAGES. 

Methods of Examination — Auscultation — Percussion — Chemical 

Tests — Microscope — Speculum — Sound, Method of Using. 159-164 
Causes of Disease among Women — Predisposing Causes Opera- 
ting through the Mother, as Tight Lacing, Excessive Eating, 
Sexual Frauds — and Connubial Excesses — Physical and 
Mental Depression — Precreation during Debility from Dis- 
ease 165-171 

Exciting Causes of Disease — Climatic Influence-Improper Dress 
in Children — Fast Living — Excessive Physical and Mental 
Labor — Depressing Passions — Narcotic Stimulants — Sexual 
Frauds and Connubial Excesses — Means of Preventing Preg- 
nancy 171-211 

Sterility— Cause, Treatment of 211-213 

Hereditary Transmission 213 

How to Have Beautiful and Intelligent Children — Relative Influ- 
ence of the Father and Mother over the Child — Assimilation 
of Wife to the Nature of Husband — Directions how to Avoid 
the Transmission of Disease — The Dangers of Marrying a 

Reformed Rake 213-220 

Mother's Marks 220-222 

When to Marry— Whom to Marry 222-232 

Pregnancy, Symptoms of, Breast Changes in, Quickening, Dis- 
eases and Accidents of — Miscarriages, Dangers of to the 
Mother — Constipation during Maternity — Giddiness during 
Maternity — Wakefulness — Exercise — Food — Dwarfing the 
Child — Pain in Labor, how Diminished — Bathing During 
Maternity — Twins, will there be — Is it a Female or Male — 
Duration of Maternity — Causes which Protract Labor — 
Time of Expected Labor— What Controls Sex of Child, 
Prof. Thury's Theory of — Sex Governed by Predominance 
of Desire — Preparation for Labor — Symptoms of approach- 
ing Labor — Symptoms, Actual — Duration of Labor — Duty 
of Physician and Attendants — Resuscitating the Child — 

Bandage for the Child— Dressing the Cord 232-268 

Directions for the Mother — The Proper time to give Phyisic — 
Attention Required by Nipples — Inflammation of the 
Breasts .269-276 



CONTENTS. 9 

PAGES. 

Meddlesome Midwifery 276 

Ergot — Chloroform — Diet of Mother During Nursing — Nursing 
and Feeding Child — Analysis of Milk — Infant Indigestion — 
Soothing Syrup Causes Epilepsy, Causes Insanity — Sore 
Mouth of Children — Proper Age for Weaning- Vaccination — 
Teething — Periods of Teething — Rickets — Lung Fever — 
Croup — Croup, Malignant-Diphtheria-Putrid Sore Throat — 
Scarlet Fever, Symptoms of, Treatment of — Measles — 
Chicken Pox — Mumps — Hooping-Cough — Colds — Bron- 
chitis — Asthma — Cholera Infantum — Cholera Morbus — 

Diarrhea — Dysentery 277-325 

Worms- Varieties, Origin, Symptoms, Treatment-Trichiniasis — 

Symptoms, Treatment 32 

Urinary Difficulties 339-341 

Scrofula— King's Evil— Big Neck— Enlarged Tonsils 341-348 

Quinsy — Scald Head — Sore Eyes — Sore Ears 34£ 

Harelip — Cross-Eyes — Frost- Bites — Boils — Ring- Worm — Tet- 
ter — Common Itch — Chafing of Infants — Scalds — Burns — 

Warts and Moles 354-362 

Poisons from Wounds, Stings, Bites 302-364 

Wounds — Cuts — Bruises — Sprains — Dislocations — Fractures — 

Ruptures 365-368 

Foreign Bodies in Nose, Ear, Throat, Windpipe 368-371 

Abortion — Criminal Causes which Lead to, Agencies by which 
Accomplished, Consequences of — Duties of Clergy and Med- 
ical Men with Reference to — Evil now arrested 371-392 



WOMAN'S MONITOR. 



DRESS. 



WOMAN'S dress in Christian lands is usually less 
natural than that adopted by the ladies of civ- 
ilized pagan nations, and it may be said with truth, 
that nowhere on the face of the globe does fashion 
rule the female mind with such relentless sway as in 
educated and polished America. While the aris- 
tocracy of France may be said to direct American 
fashion, the great mass of the French people are 
more steady in their habits of dress and consult 
comfort and utility more than we do in this country. 
Here every man feels himself born a king, and 
almost every woman in her style of dress must ape 
as closely as possible the French Queen or some 
other European aristocrat. In obedience to the dic- 
tates of fantastic Fashion, she ignores utility and 
comfort, and exposes her person in a most unbecom- 
ing manner, or heaps it with useless clothing. Try- 
ing to improve upon Nature's model of the human 

11 



12 woman's monitor. 



Dress-Stays and Corsets. Palpitating Heart and Weak Lungs. 

frame, she compresses the lungs, heart, and stomach 
with stays and corsets, and pinches her feet with the 
most ludicrous styles of shoes ; no matter if the cor- 
sets and stays are clearly proven to cause dyspepsia, 
palpitation of the heart, and consumption, and the 
shoes to be a fruitful source of bunions, corns, and 
diseased nails, and thus to add to the already full 
stock of human misery ; no matter if gaunt, spectral 
Consumption grins horribly at the shrine and beckons 
away with his bony finger, woman will worship at 
the shrine of this goddess, though her altars groan 
with more victims than those of Bacchus, and are 
known to furnish a more lingering torture than the 
altars of Moloch. 

These two causes of disease alone are making sad 
havoc with the health of millions, sapping the tide of 
life at life's very fountain. The palpitating heart and 
weak lungs of the corset-pressed mother are entailed 
as a heritage upon her children — who too often are 
born feeble in mind and body — from displaced and 
compressed wombs, bandaged down with stay and 
corset, at the behest of fashion. 

Stomach and bowels, corset-laced, are in sorry plight 
for the vigorous digestion required to sustain the 
mother and develop the growing embryo, and if long 
imposed upon in this manner must become diseased, 
and unfit to furnish the pabulum of life to the 
mother, much less to furnish proper material for 



DRESS. 



13 



Cancer in the Breast. Flannels. Suspenders for the Clothing 



bone, muscle, and brain to her offspring, even when 
those disease-producing appliances are dispensed with 
during the maternal period. Many poor little im- 
mortals are compelled to forego the advantages of 
early sustenance at the fountain whence the God of 
nature designed they should draw their nutriment, 
because from early life dress-stays and corsets have 
been allowed to make injurious pressure upon the 
mother's breasts ; thus preparing for diseased nip- 
ples and broken breasts, with their long days and 
nights of torment, too often resulting in the de- 
struction of the functions of the gland, and many 
times developing cancer, whose corroding canker 
slowly eats out the vitals of what might have been 
a long and happy life. 

I pray you deem this no fancy sketch, for every 
intelligent physician will be able to verify it from his 
own observation. Away, then, w T ith your lacing- 
strings and corsets. Protect the neck and chest 
with proper clothing. Wear flannels in Winter, and 
if possible silk in Summer, next to the skin, to pre- 
vent rapid changes in the temperature and electrical 
condition of the body. Support your clothing by 
proper suspenders, for the weight of the clothing 
around the waist will sooner or later tell upon the 
health of the best constitution. Flannels should not 
be washed but once a week, but should be changed 
every day, and the cast-off garment well aired and 



14 woman's monitor. 



Tight Shoes. Tight Garters. Thin-soled Shoes. India Rubber Shoes, etc. 

put on the next day. Tight shoes interfere with 
the proper return of blood through the feet, and thus 
tend to produce disease, as well as to injure the feet. 
Tight garters are a fruitful source of swollen feet 
and puffy ankles ; they interfere with the proper re- 
turn of blood by the veins. Rubber shoes retain the 
perspiration, and are not healthful; they should never 
be worn in-doors. Besides, they usually make tender 
and gall the feet, and soon destroy the texture of 
the leather or cloth over which they are continually 
worn. Thin-soled shoes, by allowing a rapid change 
of temperature when exposed to damp and cold, 
especially on damp floors and pavements, are a 
fruitful source of suppressed menstruation and rheu- 
matism, especially that form of rheumatism which 
affects the muscular structure of the uterus, causing 
much suffering at the menstrual period. Have the 
moral courage, then, to set fashionable folly at defi- 
ance and wear substantial shoes with double soles 
in damp and cold weather. Cloth gaiters are prefer- 
able in-doors in warm weather, as they do not pre- 
vent evaporation of the perspiration. These should 
have weak elastics, or be laced loosely, for reasons 
already given; and by all means, let them have sub- 
stantial soles, thick enough to protect the feet. A 
rational observance of these meager suggestions would 
prevent much suffering and premature death. 



BATHING. 15 



Different kinds of Baths. Best Time for Bathing, etc. 

BATHING. 

It is of the utmost importance that the body should 
be frequently bathed in pure water, with a small quan- 
tity of good soap, or, what is better, a little soda dis- 
solved in the water. If the plunge bath is used, 
bathing should not be prolonged beyond a few mo- 
ments ; for if warm, the continued application of heat 
and moisture to the surface of the body will relax the 
system too much, and if cold it will be liable to pro- 
duce some internal congestion. 

The cold shower-bath is an excellent tonic, and may 
be used in every variety of relaxed and debilitated 
habit, provided the patient has vitality enough to re- 
act, even by the assistance of thorough rubbing. 
Those of very nervous temperament, and those sub- 
ject to apoplexy, would do well to use some slight 
protection to the head while under the shower-bath. 
The sponge or towel bath is the one most usually 
employed by the masses in this country, and is very 
efficient, especially when accompanied with the vig- 
orous application of the flesh brush or crash towel. 

The morning is the best time for the bath. It re- 
laxes less than when used just before retiring at night. 
The bath should not be taken for some hours after a 
hearty meal, as reaction would be likely to be im- 
perfect, or if readily established, would interfere with 
the energy of digestion. As a rule, we prefer the 



16 woman's monitor. 



Kind of Water. How often to Bathe. Sleep, 

tepid bath, except where heat may be necessary, to 
relax the surface or develop some receding eruption, 
or when the cold bath may be advisable to secure 
tone by reaction; in such cases the shower-bath is 
the best form. Water readily absorbs noxious gases 
and vapors ; and hence, water that has stood long in an 
open vessel is not fit for bathing purposes. Bathing 
should not be permitted in sluggish streams, foul 
ponds, nor in creeks or rivers swollen by freshets, as 
such waters are charged with poisonous gases, and 
hold in solution much vegetable and animal matter, 
which is readily absorbed through the skin, poisoning 
the blood, and producing congestive and other fevers. 
Every person should bathe the entire surface at least 
twice a week in warm weather, and once a week in 
cold, under ordinary circumstances. A bucket or 
basin of pure water, a small quantity of soda or soap, 
and a coarse towel is all that is necessary to equip 
one for this healthy exercise. 

SLEEP. 

During sleep pulsation and respiration, and indeed 
all the forces of the animal economy, are prosecuted 
with less vigor than when awake. This is nature's 
method of restoring the equilibrium of the animal 
forces, and allowing the system, as it were, to get up 
steam for the exhausting labors of the coming day. 
Indeed, it is the only method of rest for those organs 



SLEEP. 17 

Amount of Sleep Necessary. Night the Time for Sleep. 

of the body whose functions require ceaseless activity 
every moment, from life's first dawn until the heart's 
last flutter is stilled in the quiet slumber of death. 
During dreamless sleep the mind is at rest, and the 
brain also, and has time to repair its exhausted ener- 
gies. Persons who do much head-work, should sleep 
more than those whose exercise is principally muscu- 
lar. But unfortunately for the health and longevity 
of persons given to intellectual pursuits they usually 
sleep less. No doubt this is one reason why they 
usually grow prematurely old, and are more subject to 
apoplexy, paralysis, and insanity than those who, 
through life, are more regular in their habits of sleep- 
ing. Eight hours should be devoted to recreation and 
sleep out of twenty-four. This, from time immemo- 
rial, has been regarded by philosophers and sages as 
the proper average. Some persons can do for many 
years with much less sleep and still enjoy comparative 
health, but such is the correlation of the forces of na- 
ture that their day of reckoning must come, and the 
balance in the book of life is against them. Children 
require more sleep than adults, and especially, with 
them, should rest be regular and unbroken. It is an 
ordinance of nature that sleep should occur during 
the night. The exciting influence of the sun's rays 
are calculated to disturb the quiet play of the vital 
forces, if the sleeper is exposed to a strong light. 
This every close observer who has slept late in the 



18 woman's monitor. 



Badly-Ventilated Apartments. Fruitful Sources of Disease. 

morning, or attempted to make up for a lost night's 
rest by an afternoon nap, will readily admit. For this 
reason we say retire early and arise as soon as the 
sunlight has diffused its radiance over the earth ; and 
especially should this law be rigidly enforced upon 
every child of the household. 

VENTILATION. 

It is very important that every part of the house, 
but especially the nursery and the bed-chambers, 
should be plentifully supplied with fresh air. The 
fires, the lamps, and the lungs consume the oxygen, 
upon the presence of which in the air its life-sustain- 
ing quality depends. The body exhales from millions 
of pores its insensible perspiration. The lungs con- 
tinually throw off carbonic acid and decayed and 
worn-out particles of the body in aqueous solution, to 
poison the air around us. A person confined to a 
small, close room soon renders the air unfit to breathe, 
and many persons confined closely to badly-ventilated 
apartments, develop the most malignant forms of 
disease, as typhus and typhoid fevers, etc. Less fla- 
grant violations of this law of the animal economy are 
punished by increased susceptibility to colds and lung 
fever, and increased tendency to contract contagious 
diseases to which you may be exposed ; because those 
who habitually breathe impure air are of impure 
blood, and in their blood is found those elements 



BEDS. 19 



Furnish the Sick-Room with Fresh Air. 



which foster and develop the germs of disease. 
If close rooms are bad for the healthy, what shall 
we say of such places for the sick, whose fluids are 
poisoned by disease, which is exhaled from the skin, 
and poured out with the breath from the lungs by 
Nature in her efforts to remove disease? It is impor- 
tant to the patient that these be removed, to prevent 
re-absorption, and to the nurse that they may not en- 
ter her lungs, and plant there the seeds of disease and 
death. 

We say, then, cleanse the sick-room by constant 
currents of fresh air. Of course these should not be 
permitted to strike directly upon the patient's bed. 
More especially should this direction be enforced if 
the case is one of weak or diseased lungs, for it is 
cruel to furnish a patient sinking for want of oxygen, 
on account of diseased lungs, an air deficient in this 
life-giving, element. Open a transom, or let down a 
window from the top, or, if you can do no better, re- 
move a light from the top sash, that the air may be 
changed continually. Some invalids, in damp weather, 
may require the air to pass through a room where 
there is a fire before it reaches the sick chamber, but 
this in the rarest cases. 

BEDS. 

Feather-beds are not so healthy as husk or straw 
beds, or hair, husk, or elastic sponge mattresses. 



20 woman's monitor. 



Beds. What kind to use. Proper Bedfellows. 

Moss mattresses are dusty, filthy affairs, and should 
never be tolerated. Hard beds are regarded as con- 
ducive to health. If you must have a soft bed, let it 
be a carefully constructed spring mattress. Beds 
should be so placed that strong currents of air do not 
flow over them, and we always prefer that the head 
be to the north, for reasons well understood by those 
who have studied the laws of electro-magnetism. 
Aged persons require more covering than adults or 
children, but none should sleep under more than is 
absolutely essential for comfort. By all means let the 
household be provided with as many beds and sep- 
arate sleeping apartments as circumstance^ will per- 
mit, as the sick should never occupy the same bed 
with other members of the family, no matter what 
the disease may be. 

Never permit your children, of either sex, to sleep 
with any person but those you are quite sure are of 
pure lives and correct habits. Under no circumstances 
should a consumptive person or one with an open can- 
cer sleep in the same bed with one not subject to like 
disease, and separate rooms should be occupied by 
such as far as circumstances permit. If the same 
room must be occupied by a nurse, let it be at the 
opposite side of the room, and, if possible, let the 
intervening space be crossed by a current of fresh 
air. As you value the life and health of your chil- 
dren, never permit them to sleep for many nights 



EXERCISE. 21 

Proper amount of Exercise. Over-Exertion. 

in succession with the aged and infirm, as they will 
be very likely to grow weakly and nervous, possibly, 
sicken and die. I have no place to argue this ques- 
tion, but suffice it to say its truth is founded upon an 
inexorable law of nature. 

EXERCISE. 

It has been truthfully said that it is by continued 
dying that we live. The death and removal of the 
organic particles of the body from the tissue make 
room for the new material prepared by digestion, and 
carried to the parts to be repaired by the arterial sys- 
tem. It is by this interstitial decay and renewal that 
the phenomenon of life is perpetuated. Health con- 
sists in a perfect balance of these chemico-vital forces. 
Over-exertion causes too rapid destruction of the or- 
ganic tissue, and, on the other hand, want of proper 
exercise diminishes the excretion of worn-out materi- 
als, and calls upon the digestive system for less than 
the normal supply of nutritive material, thus produc- 
ing a stagnant condition of the physiological actions 
of the body, and predisposing to disease. Exerci.se 
requires an expenditure of force which calls for in- 
creased functional activity on the part of the heart, 
lungs, and stomach; decaying and worn-out particles 
are hurried out of the system by the increased energy 
of the secretions, and the rejuvenating power of the 
assimilating functions are increased in proportion. 



22 woman's monitor. 



The best kind of Exercise. Sunlight. 

Exercise should be <made to combine mental recrea- 
tion with bodily exertion, if possible. Every one 
knows the difference between the effect of a walk 
undertaken just because that amount of exercise was 
directed and a similar amount of exertion in hunting 
or visiting in some interesting locality or the like. 
While the one produces fatigue, the other is followed 
by no such consequences. The latter is more con- 
ducive to health, tending to prevent and cure indiges- 
tion, rheumatism, scrofula, and consumption. 

Severe exercise should not be taken by feeble per- 
sons when the stomach is empty, nor when oppressed 
by a full meal. That kind of exercise is best which 
calls the largest number of muscles into use. Hence, 
walking or riding on horseback is better than the boat 
or the carriage. Exercise in the best ventilated 
rooms is not equal to outdoor exertion. Persons ex- 
ercising in-doors are deprived, in a great measure, of 
the vitalizing influence of the sun's rays. Many per- 
sons appear to overlook the fact that sunlight is one 
of the great invigorating and vitalizing forces of Nat- 
ure, that it penetrates all living organic forms, and 
imparts energy to their vital forces. Hence, our 
houses should receive plenty of sunlight every day. 
It is almost as essential to health as fresh air. 

We are of the opinion that our nurseries where our 
children romp and play, and the chambers where our 
chronic diseases are treated, are usually kept too dark, 



DIET. 23 

Shade-trees. Regularity in Eating. Drinking. 

shaded too much by vines and trees. Many trees 
about a house not only exclude the light, but are un- 
healthy, on account of encouraging dampness and 
mold and furnishing material for decaying vegetation. 
Let shade-trees not be too thick nor too close to the 
house. If you want firm muscles, a good appetite, 
refreshing sleep, and steady nerves, next to a con- 
science void of offense before God and man, you need 
outdoor exercise in the broad sunlight. It is a better 
tonic than all the panaceas of the shops, more invig- 
orating than all the stomach bitters in the land, and 
costs nothing but the time spent in taking it. 

DIET. 

We propose under this head to make a few general 
remarks, and to treat of the dietetic management of 
children in the chapter devoted to infants. Regu- 
larity in eating, as to time and quantity, is important, 
if we would escape dyspepsia and premature decay 
of the body. The quantity and quality of the drink 
is also a matter that must be governed by an intelli- 
gent will, if we expect to preserve our health. As 
a rule, Americans take too much liquid at their 
meals. This develops the faculty of bolting our 
food, or washing it down without sufficient mastica- 
tion. Thorough chewing of food is essential to 
speedy and healthy digestion ; first, to divide it into 
small particles, that more surface may be exposed 



24 woman's monitor. 



Thorough Mastication. Mental and Physical Exertion. 

to the gastric fluids; and, secondly, to secure a com- 
plete coating of saliva to every portion before it is 
swallowed, this being essential to speedy digestion. 
It is necessary to health that the amount of food 
should bear a proper relation to the amount of blood 
required to carry forward the operations of the body, 
and it is quite apparent that the amount of blood 
required will be in proportion to the amount of waste, 
and that the amount of waste is closely related to 
the amount of mental and bodily exertion. Hence, 
those whose calling require much exertion in the open 
air require more food than those of sedentary habit, 
and those who are using up much material by head- 
work require more than those who, in addition to 
sedentary bodily habit, are intellectually indolent. 
This will be apparent when we reflect on the amount 
of healthy nutritious blood required to carry for- 
ward the mental operations of the brain. More and 
stronger food is also required in cold than in warm 
weather. The Hindoo, under a tropical sun, main- 
tains a sufficient amount of animal heat on rice and 
fruits. A similar diet would soon freeze the blood 
of the Esquimaux or the Greenlander, because more 
carbon is required in the blood to go to the lungs and 
unite with the oxygen, and thus, by the oxydizing or 
burning of the carbon, to support animal heat, in the 
one case than in the other. Hence, it is apparent 
that more fat meat, butter, eggs, lard, and sugar is 



DIET. 25 

Not enough Attention is paid to our Diet. 

required to sustain the energy of life in Winter than 
in Summer, and while engaged actively outdoors 
than when still in the house, office, or store; and it 
will be quite apparent that when too small a quan- 
tity is taken, one will grow feeble, lean, nervous, and 
incapable of exertion ; and when the quantity is too 
large it must overtax the energy of the physical 
forces, and result in too much blood, giddiness, apo- 
plexy, inflammations, rheumatism, diseases of the 
liver, stomach and bowels, and often of the kidneys. 
And if Nature did not kindly find some method of 
waste in such cases, all such must speedily perish. 
It must be apparent, then, that not enough atten- 
tion is paid to our diet, in adapting it to the changing 
seasons, and that much of the disease that affects hu- 
manity results more or less directly from this cause. 
Brown bread is more nutritious than bread from super- 
fine flour ; the latter is rich in starch and gluten, but 
the former contains in addition phosphate of soda, 
iron, and lime, with some other ingredients in small 
quantity, which are required to build up the solid 
parts of the body. Professor Nichols says, in his 
"Journal of Chemistry," it is cruel to bolt those in- 
gredients out of the flour to be used by children who 
are too poor to secure much change of diet, especially 
plenty of fresh meat; as the brown bread is the best 
known substitute for those articles of diet required 
to furnish materials for bone, cartilage, muscle, and 



26 woman's monitor 



Brown Bread. Time Necessary between Meal* 

brain, all of which require in small quantity those 
chemical agents found kindly garnered by Nature in 
the brown heart of the kernel of wheat, and which 
the ingenuity of the miller separates from the flour 
to be used by our children, and mixes with bran to 
be fed to the dumb brutes. This is not so bad when 
the person purchasing the flour can afford to buy the 
flesh of the animal for food, but is robbing thousands 
of poor children of strong muscle, hard bones, and 
firm, durable teeth, because they are growing up with- 
out sufficient of the earthy phosphates in the blood 
to give proper density to those structures. It is 
a good rule to use fruits and vegetables in warm 
weather with but limited supplies of fat meat and 
butter, but in cold weather a large supply of such 
articles is demanded. When food has been taken in 
considerable quantity four to six hours should be 
allowed to elapse before the stomach is disturbed 
with more food, as the quantity added, even if small, 
must disturb healthy digestion and tend to injure the 
stomach. We are of the opinion that a mixed food 
is proper, but too great variety should not be taken 
at one meal; changes of diet, however, within rea- 
sonable limits, tend to improve the tone of the 
stomach. Hich puddings, pies, etc., are hard on the 
stomach, even of the most robust persons. One very 
serious objection to such articles arises from the habit 
of eating enough, and then tempting the stomach to 



DIET. 27 

Pastry to be Avoided. Cold Water. 

take an additional quantity by such dainties, thus 
causing it to be overloaded. If such things must be 
served at table, let it be during the early part of the 
feast; thus the last objection urged would be removed. 
The drink best calculated to preserve health and pro- 
long life is cold water, but tea and coffee have be- 
come so established in the affections of the people 
that it must be a long time before they will go back 
to the habitual use of cold water or milk at table. 
It must be confessed that tea and coffee do not 
vitiate the appetite and grow upon the user, requir- 
ing and compelling an increase of the portion, like 
spirituous and malt liquors, in that respect not pos- 
sessing the deadly narcotic effect of the latter. The 
greatest objection to their use consists in the amount 
of hot water which they induce persons to put into 
their stomachs, tending to relax it and induce dys- 
pepsia. The manner of washing down the food half 
chewed with hot liquid is objectionable, instead of 
chewing it soft and well mixed with the secretions 
of the mouth, before it is presented for digestion. 
We are of the opinion that coffee and tea should be 
made strong enough to get the effect desired upon 
the system with a single cup; this avoids the objec- 
tion of much hot water. Coffee and tea both appear to 
promote digestion, act as a tonic and stimulant, call- 
ing out the latent powers of the system, and thus 
becoming an accelerator of vital action, and hence 



28 woman's monitor. 



Tea and Coffee. Cleanliness 

their action might be supposed to be only beneficial. 
But it must be remembered that the faster the sands 
of life flow the sooner they must be exhausted ; and 
hence it is plain as any principle in the correlation of 
the forces of nature, that what is gained in speed is 
lost in diminished power of endurance, so that life 
must necessarily be shortened by living at high- 
pressure rate. Coffee usually predisposes to quiet, 
and in most persons is sleep-inviting, while tea tends 
to produce wakefulness, and often, when used to 
excess, injures the nervous system by producing an 
inability to sleep sufficient to recuperate the ex- 
hausted nervous power. 

THE SKIN. 

It is no part of our design to treat of diseases of 
the skin, but simply to give a few directions as to 
the surface of the body, and some troubles incidental 
thereto. Thorough bathing once or twice a week is 
indispensable to remove the residue left upon the 
surface by the evaporation of the perspiration, and 
facilitates the scaling of the scarf-skin, that absorp- 
tion of oxygen through the skin and the escape of 
morbid material by the secretion from the surface 
may not be impeded. As to different kinds of 
bathing the reader is referred to the chapter on 
baths. Corns occur usually on the hands and feet, 
mostly upon the toes, from the pressure of tight or 



THE SKIN. 29 



Corns. Crooked Toe-nails. Offensive Feet, etc. 

ill-fitting shoes, and are but a thickening of the cuti- 
cle, thrown out to protect the irritated parts, but 
often become so hard and irregular as to cause 
much pain by undue pressure on the surrounding 
soft parts. Shave them smooth and thin with a 
sharp knife, and wear a little lint for a few days, 
dipped in fish-oil, equal parts of glycerine and water, 
or similar substances. Remove the cause, and soon 
your corns will disappear. Frequent shaving, if 
done smoothly, usually keeps them comfortable. 
Nails growing into the flesh may generally be kept 
comfortable by weekly dressing with a sharp knife, 
so as to keep the edge which grows down quite 
short; this is all that is usually required. Under 
chloroform the edge of the nail may be removed, with 
a portion of the gland secreting the nail. The wound 
heals up. This is a permanent cure. 

Some persons are subject to offensive smell from 
sweating feet, groin, and arm-pits. Those subject to 
habitual and extreme constipation are very liable to 
an offensive secretion of this kind. Regulate the 
bowels and apply soap and water frequently; if this 
is not sufficient to remove either trouble, use a wash 
to the offending parts once a day, until a cure is 
effected, made by dissolving one drachm of crystals 
of carbolic acid in one pint of pure water. 



30 woman's monitor. 



Remedy for Chapped Hands. Cosmetics, eta 

CHAFED HANDS. 

This annoying trouble may usually be overcome by 
using only fine soap, drying wet hands carefully before 
exposure to wind and sunlight; bathing at night in 
almond oil, or equal parts of glycerine and water. 
Mutton tallow also has considerable reputation as a 
domestic remedy. Wear light buckskin or kid gloves 
about all work possible. Avoid wetting the hands 
and drying frequently. 

THE COMPLEXION. 

If you have a face and neck so rough, coarse, and 
blotched that it is perfectly hideous to behold, and 
you have been unsuccessful in improving it after 
consulting a skillful physician, then, and not till 
then, are you excusable for resorting to enamel 
paint, rouge, lily white, and wheat flour, with the 
thousand lauded cosmetics of the shops. These all 
are alike ruinous to the skin, closing up the mouths 
of the ducts of the sebaceous follicles, preventing 
proper secretion from the skin, and so producing pim- 
ples, roughness, coarseness of features, and deformity ; 
besides, no skill in paints will rival the rich hue of 
healthy blood, speaking Nature's own language from 
the natural surface, unobscured by the ghostly appear- 
ance even of the most skillful enameling. Think you 
a close observer ever fails to tell at a glance the rich 



FRECKLES CRACKED LIPS. 31 

Cause of Freckles. Treatment. Cause of Cracked Lips. Treatment. 

blush of health from the painted smile? How horrid 
the appearance of those who depend upon paint to 
beautify the complexion when seen at home about 
their daily avocations! Once commence this filthy, 
absurd practice, and it will be a long time before the 
natural condition of the countenance can be restored. 

FRECKLES. 

Freckles are most apt to trouble persons of light com- 
plexion, with light or red hair. They appear to arise 
from exposure to strong light, and are aggravated by 
derangement of the stomach, liver, and menstruation. 

Treatment. — Care as to exposure to strong and di- 
rect light; solution of citric acid in rose water, or lo- 
tion of bitter almonds with five grains of corrosive 
sublimate to the half pint may be tried. I have also 
used successfully a weak solution of oxalic acid. But 
the most important matter is to attend to the men- 
strual irregularity, and put the liver, stomach, and 
spleen in the best possible trim by proper diet and 
mild purgation. 

CRACKED LIPS. 

Chafing of the lips usually arises from exposure to 
wind and cold. This seldom occurs when the stomach 
is right: Derangement of digestion being a perma- 
nent cause, it is plain that the first thing to be done 
is to put the digestive system in proper trim by tonics 



32 woman's monitor. 



Caries or Death of the Teeth. Tartar on Teeth. Tooth-Brush and Soap 

and alteratives. If still troubled bathe the lips twice 
a day with a preparation made by boiling for a few 
moments some well-prepared starch with glycerine — 
proportion, one part starch and two glycerine. 

THE TEETH. 

The teething of infants will be noticed farther on. 
Here we propose to speak of caries of the teeth, and 
the consequences of neglecting them. Tartar is a 
collection, from the spittle, of an earthy matter. If 
allowed to remain it injures the texture of the teeth, 
and causes absorption of the gums, and eventually of 
the alveolar process, in which the teeth are situated, 
so that many teeth otherwise good are lost in that 
way. Sometimes the encroaching tartar excites in- 
flammation of the enveloping membrane of the fang, 
and causes severe pain. Let the dentist remove the 
tartar, then keep it away by the rise of the brush. 
When teeth are neglected particles of food collect 
about them, and fermentation is set up. In this filthy 
mass several varieties of microscopic animalcules and 
plants are developed in immense quantities, so that 
under a good glass the part appears to be one forest 
of vegetation inhabited by myriads of unsightly mon- 
sters. The daily use of good soap, with a brush, is a 
very good way to remove all such nuisance. If a 
tooth decays have it filled before the nerve is exposed. 
Never suffer a tooth to be filled, especially a jaw 



CATARRH. 33 



When to File Teeth. When to Extract them. Catarrh. 

tooth, after the nerve cavity has been exposed; if you 
do you will likely have to suffer from neuralgia. 
Teeth should never be filed until the enamel or out- 
side shell of the tooth has been broken by disease. 
Always remove stumps and decayed teeth, except 
such as may be successfully repaired by a dentist. 
They make the breath bad, and every time you take 
breath through the mouth you convey impure air into 
the lungs, ladened with decaying animal and vegeta- 
ble matter, which is likely to cause disease. 

CATARRH. 

Catarrh is a term often used very indefinitely. It 
means a discharge of fluid from a mucous membrane, 
and may be applied to disease with a flow from the 
mucous surface of the bowels, bladder, bronchia, or 
nose. It is to this trouble, as it affects the lining 
membrane of the nose, that we design to confine our 
remarks. It may arise from cold, from inhaling some 
irritating agent, or may be associated with scrofula, an 
eruptive affection of a surface, as eczema, and it is 
frequently rendered malignant by association with 
syphilis. When some bad habit of body, as scrofula 
or syphilitic taint, is associated with nasal catarrh, it 
often assumes a very grave character. Ulceration of 
the soft parts, and such destruction of the bones is not 
uncommon so as to remove more or less of the nasal 
septum, infra -turbinated bones, and other structure 



34 woman's monitor. 



How Detected. Causes and Effects. 

adjacent. Such cases may usually be recognized by 
the very offensive character of the discharge, and 
should be placed immediately under the care of a phy- 
sician who will not fail to pursue a proper course of 
treatment to remove the trouble from the blood, upon 
which the malignant character of the disease depends, 
but at the same time will not neglect proper local 
treatment, applied with pencil, syringe, or nasal 
douche, as the case may demand. 

It must be borne in mind that simple catarrh from 
cold sometimes results seriously when neglected. 
The soft parts and even the bony structure may be- 
come involved ; ulcers may form ; the trouble may ex- 
tend into the throat and along the Eustachian tube to 
the ear, thickening the mucous membrane of the 
inner ear and Eustachian tubes, which lead from the 
throat and supply the air to the inner ear. Thus the 
functions of the parts may be destroyed, and deafness 
result. It may involve the surface of the nasal duct, 
which should carry the tears from the corner of the 
eye into the nose, and so close it that a surgical oper- 
ation may be required to restore the function of the 
duct, and thus the eye becomes involved. 

Serious consequences may result from an extension 
of such disease to the cavity of the frontal bone over 
the eyes. The antrum or cavity in the upper jaw- 
bone may be so affected with catarrh of the mucous 
lining as to require the removal of a tooth and drill- 



CATARRH. 35 



Nasal Catarrh. Its Signs and Effects, 

ing the bone to discharge the matter and give access 
to the parts for treatment with the syringe. Besides, 
the stomach must be affected by the discharge pass- 
ing tp it from the festering part of the nose, and the 
air is poisoned by the putrid particles before it reaches 
the lungs. 

It will be apparent, then, that this is a disease, 
which should be early recognized and promptly 
treated. The trouble which we have been consid- 
ering as nasal catarrh is known to physicians as 
ozena. 

The acute form is what is generally known as cold 
in the head. This usually subsides in a few days, 
but repeated attacks may give rise to the chronic 
form of the disease. This is associated with uneasy 
sensations about the nose and eyes, pain in the head, 
a very foul breath, and much discharge, requiring the 
sufferer frequently to blow the nose. The secretion 
is whitish, yellowish, or greenish in color, often tinged 
with blood. Sometimes large flakes of extremely 
offensive matter are discharged. Catarrh may injure 
or entirely destroy the sense of smell. 

In addition to such remedies as may be thought 
best to improve the general health, injections of car- 
bolic acid, one grain to the ounce of water, or a like 
quantity of permanganate of potassa, promptly re- 
moves the fetor, and are very successful in the 
treatment of catarrh. Similar solutions of nitrate of 



36 woman's monitor. 

Remedies and Modes of Applying them. 

silver, sulphate of zinc, or acetate of lead have been 
recommended. 

The best method of applying remedies to the nose 
is by means of a nasal catarrh douche, which can be 
procured of a druggist — a glass funnel, or similar 
arrangement, with a gum tube four feet long at- 
tached to the funnel, and at the other end a cork so 
arranged as to fit the nose. Fasten your glass jar 
on some elevation, so that the column of water will 
give force; hold the face over a basin, head inclining 
forward, and mouth open; squeeze the tube above 
the cork until the cork is well fitted to the nose; re- 
move the pressure and the solution will be found to 
flow rapidly up one nostril, filling every sinus, pass- 
ing around the nasal septum, and equally wash the 
other nostril, from which it will flow. A quart of 
medicated solution may readily be passed through by 
this method in a few moments and with less incon- 
venience to the patient than one application with a 
pencil or syringe. 

We usually apply salt and water at first in bad 
cases to cleanse the parts, and have known several 
cases cured from the use of salt water alone. The 
leaves of the laurel — sometimes known as sheep- 
laurel — dried and finely pulverized and used as a 
snuff, is a very popular domestic remedy, and in 
some sections enjoys quite a reputation with the pro- 
fession. 



THE EYES. 37 



Causes of Weak Eyes. Too Strong Light 

THE EYES. 

The eyes should never be suddenly exposed to a 
strong light, for such exposure has often destroyed 
vision, when the eyes were weak and the light direct 
and intense. When at work, requiring close applica- 
tion, sit with the back to the light, so as to receive 
only the reflected rays upon the eyes. If using arti- 
ficial light, a shade may be so arranged as to screen 
the eyes from direct light, and yet allow it to fall 
upon the work. Persons with weak eyes should be 
careful about overtaxing vision upon small and dark 
objects — especially by artificial light. 

The sight often suffers through sympathy with a 
diseased stomach, bowels, or uterus. One of the most 
frequent causes of weak eyes among mothers is leu- 
corrhcea, or derangement of menstruation in some 
form. Many suffer from using the eyes too soon after 
confinement, or from weak or disordered vision from 
sympathy with diseased uterus, as pending or after 
abortions, also when suffering from displacements of 
the uterus, leucorrhoea, ulceration, or abrasion of the 
neck of the uterus, etc. 

Permanent weakness of the eyes often results 
from continued use of the eyes upon small objects 
under such circumstances. All diseases which tend 
to produce congestion about the head may injure vis- 
ion, also such as deprive the brain of a due amount 



38 woman's monitor. 



Treatment. Resort to the Surgeon. 

of healthy arterial blood, as uterine hemorrhage. If 
ck/se looking cause pain in the eyes or head, the 
effort should be abandoned until the cause is re- 
moved. When lights and shades flash before the 
eyes, frequently producing temporary confusion of 
the brain, accept the symptoms as Nature's warning 
to desist from further taxing the eyes and brain. 
They need rest. 

When injury or other cause produces heat and red- 
ness, do not resort to some caustic solution or stimu- 
lating lotion, but use a low diet ; take a saline cathar- 
tic, as salts or cream of tartar, or seidlitz powder, and 
apply cloths wet with cold water to the eyes. It is 
a great mistake to suppose all kinds of sore eyes need 
stimulating eye-washes. Certain old chronic cases are 
benefited by such treatment. If serious inflamma- 
tion of the eyes arise and fail to yield to the means 
above indicated, an oculist should be employed. It 
is not safe to tamper with serious inflammatory trou- 
bles of the eyes. The functions of these organs are 
too seriously connected with the well-being of the 
individual and their loss too important a matter to 
leave their treatment in unskillful hands. Poultices 
should never be applied to the eyes as a domestic 
remedy. I have known several persons to ruin their 
sight in this way. If such means are used let it be 
after due deliberation on the part of a skillful surgeon. 
A form of sore eyes is very common among scrofu- 



THE HAIR. 



39 



Fresh Air. Cleanliness. Tonics. 

lous children, in which the cornea becomes seriously 
involved early in the case, and often results in total 
blindness, as we believe, from injurious treatment. 
Persons of this habit of body do not well bear cold 
applications to inflamed parts; hot poultices are no 
less destructive. Fresh air, cleanliness, and tonics 
are the most available means. I have seen very 
happy effects from a formula found in Gross' Sur- 
gery, after clearing the bowels with rhubarb. To a 
child ten years old the following may be given : 

R. Sulphate of quinine gr. 18 

Pulverized gum opium u 1J 

Sulphate of iron " 12 

Tartarized antimony " 1 

Mix. 

Make twelve powders, one every six to eight hours, 
depending on the urgency of the symptoms. In the 
strongly marked scrofulous habit, especially if the 
case is associated with enlarged tonsils or swollen 
or ulcerated glands about the neck, I prefer to leave 
out the iron from the formula, and give alternately 
with the powders ten to fifteen drops of the sirup 
of iodide of iron. 



THE HAIR. 

It will not be expected that we should speak of the 
minute anatomy of the hair, nor would it be profitable 
to occupy space with discussion of the relations of 
the different colors and textures of hair to the tern- 



40 woman's monitor. 



Children's Hair should be kept Short. Do not use Oil on the Hair. 

peraments. Our present purpose is to introduce as 
little as possible that may not have a practical bear- 
ing. The hair should not be permitted to grow long 
in childhood, as this tends to diminish a vigorous 
growth. Besides, it is difficult to keep the hair out 
of the eyes of small children, and if permitted to hang 
about the face it may assist to develop an unsightly 
squint; if pasted back by some oily substance or even 
by wetting the hair frequently with water, the hair so 
treated covers the head too closely, and does not per- 
mit sufficient evaporation of the perspiration, keeping 
the scalp too warm, and the result may be a feverish 
and diseased scalp, injury to the hair bulbs from which 
the hair grows, and, as a sequel to the mischief, bald- 
ness or premature gray hairs. 

If the head is kept healthy by frequent shampoo- 
ing with fine soap and soft water, then carefully rins- 
ing out the soap and drying with a soft towel — a proc- 
ess none should neglect more than one week in warm 
weather or two weeks in cold — the hair bulbs will re- 
main healthy, and baldness will not be likely to occur, 
nor will you be so liable to grow gray. After sick- 
ness the hair is sometimes harsh and dry ; if oil is 
applied, the natural secretion of oily matter from the 
scalp, which Nature, in health, is prone to furnish in 
abundance, will not likely be re-established; hence a 
healthy action of the hair bulbs will not be restored. 
Avoid the oil. Shampoo the head quite frequently, 



THE HAIR. 41 



The Head kept too Warm. Chignons, Frizzing, Curling, etc 

and thus assist to restore health to the scalp, and all 
will soon be well. 

The head is usually kept too warm, and boys keep 
their hats on too much, preventing the air and sun- 
light from reaching the scalp with their vitalizing 
power. Women, these days, are not only injuring the 
hair, but the brain also, by the vile accumulation of 
filthy fiber and foreign hair they heap upon the head, 
and call them chignons. When will women learn to 
seek health rather than fashionable folly, and that 
Nature is always to be preferred to art ? The hair is 
often rendered prematurely gray by grief, mental anx- 
iety, and local suffering, especially from diseases of 
the brain, and such female diseases as tend to affect 
the head through sympathy. Curling the hair over 
paper breaks and injures it, but does not so entirely 
ruin it as the use of curling irons. These destroy its 
texture, render it brittle, and often give to it a mot- 
tled, irregular color. Frizzling tangles and breaks 
the hair, and if long persisted in must so injure it 
that a new crop must grow before you can hope to 
have it nice and healthy. Many ladies with heavy 
hair suffer from headache, which would be relieved by 
removing a portion of the hair over the back part of 
the head, which could be done so as not to be noticed. 
If you suffer much from headache, and have heavy 
hair, try removing a part. 

Travelers and children in public schools are liable 



42 woman's monitor. 



How to Remove Vermin. Dandruff. How to Restore Color 

to contract vermin. Of course these are easily re- 
moved with proper care, but mothers are sometimes 
sorely puzzled how immediately to get rid of the nits. 
They cling to the hair by a gelatinous matter. This 
may be dissolved by wetting thoroughly a few times 
with cologne. The alcohol dissolves the connection, 
and they are easily removed with a comb. 

Dandruff seldom occurs when proper attention has 
been bestowed upon the scalp. This and a number 
of eruptive troubles of the scalp may be removed by 
a few applications of the following recipe : 

# Lack Sulphur 2 drachms. 

Tincture Cantharides 2 " 

Cologne and Rose Water, of each 4 ounces. 

Mix, shake, and apply once daily. 

The above constitutes the best means known to the 
medical profession for preventing baldness and restor- 
ing the hair. To restore the color to dark or black 
hair that has grown gray, the following is one of the 
best recipes in use: Take nitrate of silver, thirty 
grains ; aqua ammonia, half an ounce ; rose water, 
eight ounces. Mix and apply three or four times a 
week. Apply evenly, and it will soon produce a fine 
brown ; continue to apply frequently until the proper 
shade is acquired, then apply occasionally to maintain 
its permanency. 



WOMAN AND HER DISEASES. 43 



Accurate Information Needed. 



GENERAL REMARKS ON WOMAN AND 
HER DISEASES. 

Urged by a necessity that appears to exist for more 
accurate information, on the part of mothers, as to 
those physiological and hygienic laws that relate es- 
pecially to themselves and their offspring, we offer a 
few remarks designed to convey the much-needed in- 
struction. We prefer to be brief and useful rather 
than incumber the work with elegant authorship, even 
if we were capable of such display. The medical 
profession will agree with us as to the necessity of 
placing in the hands of mothers some work for refer- 
ence that will prove a friend in the hour of approach- 
ing danger, and a guide out of that labyrinth of dark- 
ness and doubt through which so many young mothers 
grope their way to a very limited knowledge of them- 
selves. Young women usually apply for counsel to 
some elderly lady friend, whose knowledge is too 
often as limited as their own. They do not consult a 
physician until disease has sapped the fountains of 
life, and too often inflicted irreparable injury. Read 
attentively these pages, and we hope they will lead 
you to a better knowledge of yourselves. In the 
limits proposed we must too often be contented with 
stating facts, without comment, only assuring the 
reader that we will make no statements that intelli- 
gent medical men will risk their reputation in an effort 



44 woman's monitor. 



Things Necessary to know in Order to Prevent Disease. False Modesty, 

to gainsay. Upon most subjects we will point out the 
things most necessary for you to know in order to 
prevent disease, and those means that should be re- 
sorted to before consulting a physician, and will en- 
deavor to assist you to arrive at a correct conclusion 
as to the necessity of seeking medical advice. With 
a few general remarks, we must then refer you to the 
educated medical man in your vicinity as your most 
rational hope for relief. We believe that by observ- 
ance of the precepts enjoined, and study of the doc- 
trines taught, you may also assist your daughters to 
a better knowledge of nature's requirements, and thus 
enable them to avoid those storms on life's troubled 
sea that have so often proved the wreck of others' 
hopes. Young lady, do not permit sham modesty to 
prevent you, in the pure spirit of Christian inquiry, 
from seeking such knowledge as will enable you in 
after life to be more healthy, and consequently more 
useful and more happy. 

THE UTERUS AND OVARIES. 

In order to a proper understanding of the subject 
we are about to discuss, it is necessary that the reader 
should know that the uterus is a muscular body, and 
in a woman of medium size weighs about two and one- 
half ounces, is about two and one-half inches in length, 
one and three-fourth inches in width, and one inch 
thick, pear shaped, and situated, neck downward, in 



THE UTERUS AND OVARIES. 45 

Description and Offices of the Uterus and Ovaries. 

the pelvis; supported in place by the vagina or birth 
passage, which, when properly contracted, forms a 
supporting column under it, and also by two anterior, 
two posterior, and two lateral or broad ligaments, the 
latter formed by folds of the enveloping membrane 
common to the womb and the bowels, and dividing the 
cavity of the pelvis into an anterior and posterior 
portion. The posterior contains the rectum, and the 
anterior the bladder and urethra. Within the folds 
of these broad ligaments, on either side of the womb, 
are situated the ovaries, two glandular bodies which 
throw off — during those years that constitute woman's 
distinctive life — an ovum or egg about once in twenty- 
eight days, which is caught up by the fimbriatid or 
grasping extremity of the Fallopian tube and carried 
to the uterus, either to become impregnated in its 
passage, attach itself to the interior of the womb and 
develop there, or, failing to meet the spermatic mole- 
cule of the male, it tarries a few days, loses its vital- 
ity, and is lost with the secretion of the parts. It is 
this ovulation which is the true menstrual act. The 
menstrual blood is thrown off from the lining mem- 
brane of the womb in consequence of the congestion 
incidental to the ripening of the egg. This is not 
positively essential to fertility of the female, but the 
act of ovulation is a necessity. It is usual to speak 
of menstruation and ovulation as one act; therefore, 
in the following pages, when menstruation is spoken 



46 woman's monitor. 



Menstruation. Drugging for Suppressed Menstruation. 

of, the secretion from the lining membrane of the 
uterus, which usually accompanies the act of ovula- 
tion, is meant if not otherwise indicated. 

MENSTRUATION. 

This important function is a periodical discharge, 
occurring, in healthy subjects, once in about twenty- 
eight days, though considerable variation as to time is 
not inconsistant with a high degree of health. In this 
country menstruation usually commences about the 
thirteenth or fourteenth year, and declines at from 
forty to forty-five. Those who menstruate very early 
in life usually change earlier — to use a common ex- 
pression — -than those of more sluggish temperament, 
who commence later. But I have frequently known 
young ladies of highly nervous organization in whom 
this function was unusually delayed, not on account 
of disease, but because the nervo-vital forces were so 
closely used up by study or the excitements of gay 
society that kind Nature spared them the exhausting 
tendency of the flow. Rest, bodily and mental, reg- 
ular sleep, and country air are all that is usually re- 
quired by such cases. But how often, with no signs 
of disease or inconvenience from this tardiness, is the 
young Miss dosed with forcing medicines, which only 
invite disease ! Young ladies changing their relations 
to society, as going from the country to town, espe- 
cially if they engage in some absorbing or exciting 



MENSTRUATION. 47 



Menstruation Suppressed by Consumption, etc. 



occupation, or apply themselves to hard study, in 
which the brain uses up the vital force, are very apt 
to have suppression. Happy if her medical adviser 
has the good sense to withhold powerful drug c Such 
are too often made sick by over-anxious frienas, who, 
alarmed at their condition, dose them with domestic 
remedies. The same principles here set forth will 
apply to women of every condition of life who suffer 
from suppression with no symptoms of disease of the 
womb. Ovulation and menstruation may have ceased 
because consumption or some other fell destroyer has 
laid his iron grasp upon the pitcher at life's fountain. 
Nature, always conservative of vital force, spares the 
struggling vital energy the exhausting act of ovula- 
tion, or at least the debilitating drain of menstruation. 
Could you get up a discharge resembling the men- 
strual flow, under such circumstances, with forcing 
remedies, it would be only blood forced through the 
lining membrane of the womb by the congestion 
caused by your poisonous drugs, and might lay the 
foundation of serious disease there, but the great es- 
sential menstrual act, the ripening of the vesicle con- 
taining the ovum or egg in the substance of the ova- 
ria, its bursting from the surface and passage to the 
womb would in no wise be effected by your treatment, 
and if it was it would be an abnormal development as 
weakening to the vital resources of the system as it 
would be injurious to the sexual organs of the female. 



48 



Should not be Forced under such Circumstances. 



If a young lady is not womanly in appearance, 
breasts imperfectly developed, but is otherwise in good 
health, let her alone. If in bad health, seek out the 
cause of her decline, and remove it, but do not dis- 
turb the menstrual functions until long after bodily 
health has been restored. If she does not then men- 
struate it is probable she has imperfect development 
of the ovaria, and stimulating remedies may be tried, 
as savin, cantharides, Indian hemp, or iron. (See ar- 
ticle, Imperfect Development of Ovaria.) I would 
advise all such to consult a physician, but in persons 
belonging to consumptive families be careful to take 
Nature's hint, and do not attempt to force her to an 
act she has kindly desisted from through fear of has- 
tening the patient's dessolution. Do not fall into the 
prevalent error that the incipient symptoms of con- 
sumption are caused by the suppression of menstrua- 
tion. That suppression exists calling for medical and 
even surgical aid I freely admit, but such cases are 
manifest by unmistakable symptoms, and will be con- 
sidered, under appropriate heads, in the course of this 
work. 

SUPPRESSION FROM MECHANICAL CAUSES. 

These are either congenital or acquired. The most 
usual congenital forms are imperforated uterus or hy- 
men, and absence of the vaginal passage. The ac- 
quired forms are obliteration of the uterine passage 



SUPPRESSION FROM MECHANICAL CAUSES. 4^ 

Imperforated Uterus. Congenital Imperforation. Treatment. 

from injury or disease, and closure of the vaginal 
passage from adhesions caused by inflammation from 
injury or otherwise. Imperforated uterus, from what- 
ever cause, would result in an accumulation of the 
uterine secretion, with dilatation of the uterus to some 
extent, and would be likely to result in dilatation of 
the Fallopian tubes, when a portion of the uterine 
contents might escape into the cavity of the abdo- 
men, and cause fatal inflammation. Congenital im- 
perforation is very uncommon, and is usually accom- 
panied with other deformities of the' sexual system. 
The acquired variety usually results from the cicatriz- 
ing of some injury, as those sometimes inflicted by 
the careless use of instruments in labor. The symp- 
toms, of course, would be somewhat obscure, but 
absence of all discharge from the uterus, tenderness 
over the uterine region, gradual enlargement of the 
womb, and such general symptoms as usually indicate 
tire presence of the menstrual climax, might lead to 
suspicion of such obstruction, more especially if they 
follow the use of some severe caustic application, or 
there have been symptoms of disease of the neck of 
the womb in times past. The treatment is surgical, 
and, of course, requires the assistance of one skilled 
in that branch of the profession. 

5 



50 woman's monitor. 



Closure of the Vagina. Imperforated Hymen, etc 

SUPPRESSION FROM CLOSURE OF THE VAGINA 

Severe inflammation or ulceration, such as some- 
times follow erysipelas, may cause closure of the va- 
gina; then of course the menses could not escape, and 
eventually must cause injurious distention. Relief 
may be obtained by an operation, by which a passage 
is formed along the track of the vagina for the escape 
of the collections. Suppression from imperforated 
hymen is occasionally met with. The hymen is usu- 
ally very frail and delicate, so that it is often re- 
moved by nurses in the act of washing infants, and 
but a very meager per cent, of females carry this 
evidence of virginity to the adult age. But it some- 
times happens that it is unusually firm, resisting any 
reasonable force that may be applied to rupture it, 
and in several instances that have fallen under my 
notice, requiring the use of the knife to remove it. 
Usually this membrane has in it a small aperture, 
that permits the menses to escape, and in not a few 
instances has permitted the ingress of spermatic fluid, 
the hymen remaining entire until removed in the act 
of parturition. Sometimes the aperture is wanting; 
the passage is thus entirely sealed up and the men- 
strual secretion retained, filling the vagina, and event- 
ually the uterus, producing a tumor between the 
labia, which is increased in size by pressure on the 
abdomen, and of course consists of the hymen pressed 



SUPPRESSION FROM DISEASE. 51 

Treatment. Tardy Ovulation. 

down by the collections above it. After the vagina 
and uterus have become to some degree distended 
more serious symptoms arise, as sallow countenance, 
palpitation of the heart, loss of appetite, great men- 
tal despondency, etc. In these cases the surgeon re- 
moves a portion of the hymen with the knife — freely 
divides the edges, washes out the passage with warm 
water, applies a bandage, and keeps the patient still 
a few days, to prevent inflammation, also preventing 
contraction during the healing process, by the use of 
a plug of lint, saturated with sweet oil. But little 
pain and comparatively no danger is incurred in the 
treatment. The same principle is applicable to ob- 
structed passage through the neck of the womb, but 
a little more care and skill is requisite on the part of 
the surgeon. 

SUPPRESSION FROM DISEASE. 

We have already stated how suppressed menstrua- 
tion often results from diversion of nervous force, as 
also probably from suspended ovulation in the early 
stages of consumption or other maladies, as a conserva- 
tive recourse of nature, and requires no treatment, 
but such as is directed to the malady that is under- 
mining the general health. 

Another form of suppression, akin to the last men- 
tioned, is found in sickly, feeble girls and women, in 
whom ovulation is tardy from disease, or if ovulation 



52 woman's monitor. 



Cheerful Company. Open Air. Exercise. Liberal Diet, etc 

does occur, the bloodless, pale, exhausted condition of 
the patient does not permit of sufficient uterine con- 
gestion to occasion the usual flow. Such should be 
kept in cheerful company, and much in the open air, 
walking, riding, or at some light employment that 
will encourage to activity of muscle, and hence to a 
more vigorous appetite, deeper breathing, and greater 
activity of the physical powers generally. A liberal 
diet, as eggs and beef, in moderation should be al- 
lowed, and these may often be assisted to advantage 
by a small allowance of wine after meals, and in bad 
cases these means failing, a few drops — fifteen to 
twenty — of tincture muriate of iron, or some prepa- 
ration of iron and Peruvian bark, in small quantities, 
after eating, will usually prove sufficient. 

Those forms of suppression which alternate with 
severe flooding, which are unfortunately too common, 
will be more conveniently treated of while speaking 
of painful menstruation. Suffice it here to say that a 
tendency to spasmodic contraction of the neck of the 
womb at the menstrual period, and hence a tendency 
to prevent the escape of the menstrual blood, is by 
no means uncommon, but, so far as I have observed, 
is accompanied with more or less enlargement of the 
womb, from chronic inflammation and so much con 
gestion at the period as to cause blood to flow pretty 
freely from the lining membrane of the uterus. This, 
unlike the true menstrual secretion, coagulates, and 



SUPPRESSION FROM DISEASE. 53 

Suppression caused by too great Heat. Symptoms. 

does not eadily find egress from the womb, by way 
of the constricted canal through the neck of that 
organ, and thus we have suppression, partially me- 
chanical and partially from constitutional cause. 

Treatment. — Inhalation of chloroform will often re- 
lax the spasm of the neck of the womb, and permit 
the clot to pass. Sometimes sponge or sea-tangle 
tents are required to secure dilatation — as soon as 
the clot is removed by treatment or by Nature's ex- 
pulsive effort, there is usually a copious flow. The 
treatment of such cases will be more fully discussed 
when speaking of painful menstruation. 

Another form of suppression is caused by an amount 
of heat and congestion too great to permit a healthy 
secretion from the intra-uterine membrane, but not 
sufficient to cause rupture of the capillaries and effu- 
sion of blood. The symptoms will be pains in the 
back, hips, or abdomen; sometimes severe pain in the 
head, or other evidence that the balance of the econ- 
omy is sympathizing with the suffering organ. Also 
a sense of weight across the lower part of the bow- 
els, showing that the womb and its appendages are 
too heavy to be well sustained by its ligaments, and 
often much soreness and pain in the region of the 
womb. In some cases the pain is so severe as to 
cause convulsions of that peculiar character called 
hysterical, and so named from their relations to the 
uterine diseases upon which they depend. It is a 



54 woman's monitor. 



Avoid Stimulants in such cases. The Proper Treatment 

common practice of nurses and ignorant medical men 
to give stimulants, hot teas, and similar forcing 
remedies to such cases. This increases the uterine 
congestion, and makes the case worse, unless, as 
sometimes happens, the increased congestion causes 
rupture of some vessel on the lining membrane of the 
womb, or forces blood from its capillaries, when relief 
is obtained, but at the risk of causing more serious 
trouble, as chronic inflammation or suppression for 
some months from retained clot, with that kind of 
uterine enlargement that usually results from the 
irritating presence of the retained blood, and a severe 
spell of sickness at some future period when the 
uterus, no longer tolerant of its presence, sets up 
pains like those of labor to expel the clot. The 
proper treatment is a lobelia or hop poultice to the 
bowels, or a general warm bath carried to relaxation. 
A full dose of Dover's powder, or twenty to thirty 
drops of laudanum, with a slightly nauseating dose 
of tartar emetic, repeating in four hours if necessary. 
Free cupping on the back, between the hips, or, in 
persons of a full habit, a small bleeding from the arm. 
In some cases a free purgation with citrate of mag- 
nesia or Epsom salts suffices for relief. But in every 
case a reclining position should be maintained as 
much as possible during the menstrual period, and 
all such should consult some physician skilled in 
female diseases, and persevere in treatment until cured. 



EXCESSIVE MENSTRUATION, OR MENORRHAGIA. 55 

Excessive Menstruation and Uterine Hemorrhage often confounded. 

Scarification of the neck of the womb, through a 
speculum, so as to secure free loss of blood, just as 
the period approaches, is a very efficient means of re- 
lieving congestion and establishing healthy action, 
and is accompanied with little or no pain, but usually 
with immediate relief from the worst symptoms. 

EXCESSIVE MENSTRUATION, OR MENOR- 
RHAGIA. 

Excessive menstruation and uterine hemorrhage are 
usually confounded by the patient, and we fear too 
often by physicians. Many forms of bleeding from 
the womb occur, resulting from a variety of causes 
hereafter to be mentioned, some of which have no 
relation to pregnancy or the parturient state. Such 
cases of flooding as belong to the latter condition will 
be considered under appropriate heads. We have 
now to do with excessive discharges of blood at the 
proper menstrual climax, and such forms of flooding 
as are usually associated in the mind of the female 
with the menstrual act, and regarded by her as ex- 
cessive and irregular menstruation. A person who 
menstruates too profusely is said to suffer from men- 
orrhagia; one who has a continued flow is said to 
have metrorrhagia. We prefer to treat as excessive 
menstration, such flooding or excess of discharge as 
occurs at the regular period, and also all flowing of 
blood at other periods than those of pregnancy or 



56 woman's monitor. 



Excessive Menstruation ftom Debility. Treatment 

child-bed, and their accidents, because we shall be 
better understood. For we are of the opinion that, 
properly speaking, excess of menstruation, even of 
the regular period, is blood, and not an excess of the 
menses proper. 

From Debility. — Excessive menstruation may be 
caused by relaxation and debility occurring in those 
broken down by disease or exhausted by any ex- 
cessive discharge, as profuse leucorrhcea. Such re- 
quire tonics, as iron, mineral, acids, or preparations of 
Peruvian bark ; also astringents, both internally and 
by injections, as solution of alum, one drachm to a 
pint, or sulphate of zinc, one-half drachm to a pint 
of water, or half a grain to the ounce of per sulphate 
of iron. A very soothing and efficient injection in 
such cases is aqueous extract of opium, half a tea- 
spoonful to as much sub-nitrate of bismuth, in three 
ounces of soft water, thrown into the vagina twice or 
thrice daily. Among the remedies for internal use, 
in districts where chill-fevers prevail, Fowler's solu- 
tion of arsenic, in doses of from three to five drops, 
is excellent, given every six hours until relief is ob- 
tained, or a slight puffy swelling of the face is pro- 
duced. Some stomachs will tolerate ten drops, and 
with others the dose must be reduced to one or two 
drops, or it will produce nausea. I usually alternate 
this with fifteen to thirty drops of tincture muriate 
of iron in such cases. In other cases tincture of 



EXCESSIVE MENSTRUATION, OR MENORRHAGIA. 57 

A Physician should be Summoned if the Trouble is not Readily Controlled. 

digitalis, five to ten drops three or four times in 
twenty-four hours, is very useful. Especially will 
the digitalis be called for in cases accompanied with 
palpitation from disease of the heart or a relaxed 
state of the blood-vessels. We believe it to be, 
when given in moderate doses, one of our most 
potent heart and arterial tonics. The following 
formula is also efficient in several varieties of flood- 
ing from the non-pregnant womb, where no great 
tenderness or pain exists, and accompanied with but 
little fever or other evidence of inflammation: 

R Oil of fleabane 1 drachm. 

Oil of cloves 1 " 

Simple sirup 3 ounces. 

Mix. Dose, one tea-spoonful every three to six hours. 

The means above indicated will usually control 
flooding from debility, also from relaxed and abraded 
conditions of the birth-passage and neck of the 
womb, and will often stop the flow when it pro- 
ceeds from the cavity of the womb, caused by 
chronic inflammation; but a physician should be 
summoned if the trouble is not readily controlled, 
who will, if he is well versed in such cases, ascertain 
why the medicines have failed, and institute, if need 
be, a more radical treatment, by the use of the oint- 
ment syringe, or swab into the womb through a specu- 
lum, thus reaching the bleeding surfaces of the neck 
or cavity of the womb, and if the flooding is not 



58 woman's monitor. 

Excessive Menstruation from Congestion and Inflammation. Treatment 

caused by cancer or other malignant disease, he will 
in all probability effect a speedy cure. 

CONGESTION AND INFLAMMATION. 

Excessive menstruation from the above cause oc- 
curs chiefly in persons of full habit, and usually 
otherwise in good health, and is preceded by a sense 
of heat, weight, and throbbing in the lower part of 
the abdomen, pain in the back and hips, frequently by 
pain in the head, and such symptoms as one would 
expect to result from excess of blood in the pelvic 
organs, if not from too plethoric a state of the system 
generally. 

Treatment. — Spare diet, rest in a reclining posi- 
tion, salts or other saline purgations, cupping to the 
loins, relaxing doses of tartar emetic, and in case these 
fail to give relief, by the advice of the family physi- 
cian, scarifying and cupping the neck of the womb, or 
the use of the intra-uterine scarificator to lessen the 
congestion and inflammation, and permit the congested 
vessels of the lining membrane of the womb to re- 
sume their proper condition. These latter means 
should be used shortly before the menstrual climax, 
so as, if possible, to give relief before the trouble is 
at its height, and thus prevent the flow from the ves- 
sels of the uterine cavity at the points of its usual 
exit, thereby assisting nature to remove the difficulty 
upon which the flow depends. It must not be for- 



OTHER CAUSES OF EXCESSIVE MENSTRUATION. 59 

Should not use the Sewing-Machine. 

gotten that a constipated state of the bowels, tight 
lacing, a chronic liver trouble, or like cause obstruct- 
ing the free return of blood from the abdominal or- 
gans, will often prove a perpetuating cause of such 
forms of excessive menstruation. So will heavy work 
and long walks or rides undertaken at that period. 
Women so afflicted should avoid the use of the sew- 
ing-machine and all forms of work or exercise requir- 
ing much use of the muscles about the pelvis when 
near the time of the menses, also observe care at such 
times for some months after an apparent cure lest 
they suffer a relapse. 

OTHER CAUSES OF EXCESSIVE MENSTRUATION. 

It may not be amiss, in this connection, to allude 
to a variety of causes that may produce excessive 
menstruation, and also the active and passive forms 
of uterine hemorrhage, though several of them may 
be treated more in detail in future chapters. These 
are chronic inflammations of the lining membrane, 
also of the body of the womb, enlargement and in- 
flammatory troubles of the ovaria, ulceration of the 
neck of the womb or within the canal leading to the 
uterine cavity, also chronic ulcers at the seat of pla- 
cental attachment resulting from abortion, morbid 
granulations upon inflamed mucous surfaces, and tu- 
mors within the womb or about it — both malignant 
and benign, as fibroids, polypoids, and cancer. When- 



60 woman's monitor. 



When to call a Physician. Rheumatism, Neuralgia, etc. 

ever the means usually employed fail to control ex- 
cessive menstruation at the period or floodings during 
the interval, grave apprehensions of some serious in- 
tra-uterine disease should be entertained, and the 
services of a skillful physician secured. Let it not 
be forgotten, also, that displacements, as falling of the 
womb and tipping backward or forward, may cause 
and keep up irregularity of the menses, and often 
produce flowing at and between the periods. 

PAINFUL MENSTRUATION, 

OR DYSMENORRHEA. 

Multitudes of women suffer martyrdom from the 
earliest period of menstruation, sometimes because of 
physical malformation, or from imperfect development 
of the womb or ovaries; in other cases, from some in- 
herited vice of constitution, as scrofula or syphilis, 
but oftener as a penalty for some infraction of Nat- 
ure's law, in the shape of rheumatism, neuralgia, dis- 
placements of the womb, congestion or chronic inflam- 
mations, etc., brought on by tight clothing or corsets, 
preventing free return of blood from the bowels, 
rheumatism caused by wearing thin-soled shoes in 
damp and cold weather, and by exposure to damp and 
wet about the menstrual period ; neuralgia produced 
by excess of study or loss of rest in the giddy round 
of pleasure ; displacement from overfatigue in walk- 
ing, riding, or dancing, when the uterus is more than 



PAINFUL MENSTRUATION. 61 

High Living, Hot Rooms, Wine, Late Suppers, Attending Theaters, Reading Novels. «*tc. 

usually engorged with blood, about the period of men- 
struation, or produced by jumping from a carriage, a 
fence, or the like, displacing the womb even at periods 
remote from the menstrual climax, and thus inducing 
disease from stress upon the vessels and nerves of the 
part. But more frequently than either of the causes 
above mentioned, we may note painful menstruation 
from chronic inflammation of the womb or associate 
organs, caused by high living, overheated rooms, foot 
stoves, or sitting with the feet to the fire, late hours, 
wine, late suppers; also, attending theaters and reading 
romances, which keeps the sexual system in a state of 
feverish excitement, and thus leads to congestion and 
inflammation, which are a fruitful source of painful 
menstruation. 

We may also add here that painful menstruation is 
often caused by the irritation of polypoid, fibroid, and 
cancerous tumors; by ulceration of the neck of the 
womb or of the canal leading to the uterine cavity, 
also by displacements and other changes of the uterus 
and ovaries, and by a narrow and constricted condition 
of the upper part of the canal in the neck of the womb. 
In cases persistently resisting treatment, some organic 
trouble of the kind alluded to should be suspected, 
and the advice of a gynecologist secured. Much may 
be done for such cases by correcting displacements, 
removing tumors, dilating with sponge tents, or those 
of sea-tangle contracted passages, and cauterizing 



62 woman's monitor. 



Painful Menstruation Produced by Onanism, Excessive Venery, Hard Study, etc. 

ulcers to remove the suffering caused by the organic 
changes above alluded to. Painful menstruation, from 
tardiness of development on the part of the ovary 
9 nd womb, usually is of the nervous or neuralgic kind, 
and occurs in young ladies in whom the menses are 
slow to appear, whose general physical development 
is imperfect, chests thin, breasts undeveloped, of spare 
habit and nervous temperament. It does not appear 
to be connected with any organic change in the repro- 
ductive organs. The neuralgic form is not confined 
entirely to the young, but may follow woman through 
all ages and conditions of menstrual life. It some- 
times appears to be connected with the gouty or rheu- 
matic condition of system, and in the single is often 
produced by onanism, and in the married by excessive 
venery. But it may also be brought on by excessive 
study, much loss of rest, long watching with the sick, 
great anxiety of mind, or any other cause that will 
exhaust the nervous force. The pain is sometimes 
confined to the uterus, at others it is felt in the hips, 
back, and lower extremities, and is often reflected to 
distant parts, as the head, especially over the eyes, or 
in the tissues of the face or scalp. The pain sometimes 
shows itself before the menses appear, and ceases as 
soon as that discharge is established, or it may con- 
tinue with varying intensity through the entire period. 
The pain is sharp and lancinating, and presents noth- 
ing of the expulsive character. There is usually but 



PAINFUL MENSTRUATION. 63 

Treatment. Change of Residence and Mode of Life. Other Remedies. 

little if any leucorrhcea, with freedom from pain and 
soreness during the interval. 

Treatment. — If a person afflicted with neuralgic 
dysmenorrhea is able and willing to change her place 
of residence and mode of life, or both, she will be more 
likely to get well. If she is influenced by ague-pro- 
ducing poisons, she should take quinine and iron ; if 
the stomach is weak, very plain diet should be en- 
joined, as well as great care as to such articles as 
experience has shown her are hurtful. Especially 
should this be carefully observed about the menstrual 
epoch. If rheumatism has previously affected the 
patient, or appears in any wise to be associated, flan- 
nel should be worn Summer and Winter and great care 
used to keep the feet warm and dry. Warm water 
or spirit vapor baths should be tried every few days, 
and moderate doses of tincture of guaiac and colchi- 
cum three times a day. Marriage, for the single, is 
often a good remedy, as parturition frequently effects 
a cure. A few of these neuralgic cases will be found 
sufficiently full in habit to require a spare diet, ca- 
thartics, and even local or general bleeding. All such 
cases should retire early to a hair mattress, husk, chaff, 
or straw bed, ventilate their sleeping apartments thor- 
oughly, and arise as soon as awake in the morning, 
even if it be at a very early hour. In those forms 
of .the disease resulting from tardy development, I 
would recommend much exercise in the outdoor air, 



64 woman's monitor. 



Painful Menstruation from Obstruction. Symptom* 

and if possible on foot, a free diet of fresh meat and 
eggs, also daily bathing and brisk rubbing of the body, 
and absence from hard study, and all causes of ex- 
cessive drain upon the nervous power. If any hered- 
itary tendency to scrofula or consumption exists, a dose 
three times daily, after meals, of some of the phos- 
phates or hypo-phosphates of soda, potassa, lime, and 
iron, will materially assist to build up the system, and 
develop its feeble resources, and thus materially aid 
in effecting a cure. We have known some cases of 
neuralgic dysmenorrhoea cured — after all other means 
had been tried in vain — by a few applications of small 
sea-tangle tents, or the occasional passage of bouge 
through the canal in the neck of the womb. 

FROM OBSTRUCTION. 

Painful menstruation from the above cause is com- 
mon, and may result from imperforated hymen, strict- 
ure of the birth-passage, small polypoid tumors in 
the neck of the womb, from a bending of the neck 
upon itself, or from some forms of displacement, and 
from contraction of the upper part of the passage 
through the neck of the uterus, or from a fibroid tu- 
mor in the substance of the uterine neck. The symp- 
toms will be severe pain in the region of the womb — 
uterine colic — soon followed by severe expulsive 
pains, which are relieved as soon as the womb has 
emptied itself, to be repeated again as soon as the 



FROM INFLAMMATION AND CONGESTION. 65 

Displacements of tlie Womb and Consequent Diseases. 

secretion or collections of blood have distended the 
uterine cavity. We point out this variety to enable 
ladies to judge what is the nature of their troubles, 
and will only say as to treatment that it will be suc- 
cessful or not just in proportion to the ability of the 
surgeon to remove successfully the cause. Fibroid 
or polypoid tumors should be removed, malpositions 
corrected, and constricted cervical passages dilated 
with sponge or sea-tangle tents. Thus the skillful 
surgeon will usually succeed in effecting a cure. 

FROM INFLAMMATION AND CONGESTION. 

This very common variety of painful menstruation 
is associated with many maladies of the ovaries and 
uterus, both organic and functional, as uterine tumors 
and chronic inflammation of the womb or associated 
organs. Displacements of the womb and disease of 
its lining membrane usually cause more or less pain at 
the menstrual period, because they seldom fail to give 
rise to some form of inflammation about the pelvis, 
and often to enlargement of the body of the womb. 
The symptoms are dull, heavy pain in the pelvis, 
which lasts during the entire period, accompanied with 
a sense of soreness and stiffness about the hips, and 
ofttimes much trouble in the interval, as leucorrhoea 
and inability to make exertion, with a constant sense 
of weight or heaviness in the pelvis. More especially 
will this- be the case if the womb k displaced, as, 



66 woman's monitor. 



The most Difficult form of Dysmenorrhoea to Treat. 



indeed, it seldom fails to be, because the chronic inflam- 
mation tends to produce enlargement of the womb by 
increase of substance, thus rendering it too heavy for 
its ligaments — they failing to support it, it sinks down 
into the vagina, thus constituting prolapsus of the 
womb, or tips backward against the rectum — retro- 
version — or forward upon the bladder — anteversion. 
Prolapsus, thus caused, is very common, because the 
accompanying leucorrhoea, by exhausting the tone 
of the vaginal walls, produces relaxation, thus remov- 
ing the support which the contracted vagina opposes 
to the descent of the womb. 

The most difficult form of dysmenorrhoea to treat, 
and the one usually the worst managed, is that vari- 
ety which occurs in young women who, in early life, 
are of exceeding robust appearance, but afflicted with 
severe periodical sickness, usually associated with fits 
of indigestion and constipated bowels, and frequently, 
at the menstrual epoch, with frightful convulsions. 
Such are often regular as to time, but the pain comes 
on as the first congestive symptoms begin to appear, 
and grows more and more severe until, in many cases, 
convulsions render the poor sufferer unconscious. At 
first the pain is felt in the back and hips, but as the 
trouble progresses becomes expulsive, like labor pains, 
and continues usually until a clot of secretion or blood 
is expelled from the womb. In some of the more 
inflammatory cases a false membrane is thrown off, 



FROM INFLAMMATION AND CONGESTION. 67 

Results of Delayed Menstruation. 

which resembles the membrane of the early periods 
of pregnancy. In many cases which have fallen un- 
der my observation, as soon as the clot was expelled 
the severe pain ceased, and a rapid flowing began, 
possibly to continue until the lady was exhausted 
from loss of blood, or to cease in a few hours in con- 
sequence of the blood coagulating in the neck of the 
womb, and stopping the egress of the flow. Thus a 
new clot is formed, and pain again set up for its re- 
moval, and this process is in some cases repeated sev- 
eral times at every menstrual period, from year to 
year, until the poor woman, worn out by pain, ex- 
hausted by loss of blood, and harassed by convul- 
sions, falls an easy prey to some other disease, if, in- 
deed, she does not die from loss of blood or some or- 
ganic affection of the womb. Such cases usually have 
trouble in urinating, are most obstinately constipated, 
and nervous in the extreme, presenting in its most 
appalling forms the hysterical condition. (See article, 
Hysteria.) In many of the cases of this class the 
uterine clots are not regularly expelled, and the men- 
ses are suppressed sometimes for several months. 
Usually all this period is one of suffering. Bloated 
bowels, tender and aching loins, and great nervous 
excitability are a few of the multitude of symptoms 
that characterize this delay on the part of the uterus 
to establish the flow. 

^Treatment. — All exhausting care of mind and body 



68 woman's monitor. 



Treatment. 



should be avoided, especially such exercise as dancing, 
long walks, washing, ironing, and riding over rough 
roads in a carriage or wagon, especially if near the 
menstrual period. Diet should consist of fruits, vege- 
tables, brown bread and milk, in moderate quantity. 
No late suppers, oyster stews, high-seasoned dishes, 
pastries, nuts, or sweetmeats should be allowed. 
The bowels should be regulated by such means as are 
recommended in the chapter on Constipation. Par* 
tients should sleep in a cool room, on a hard bed, 
with just sufficient cover to prevent a sense of chilli- 
ness. The greatest care in regard to much company 
and every source of excitement should be observed 
on the approach of the period. In most cases it will 
be proper to use a general warm bath or swathe the 
body for an hour in a blanket, wrung out of hot 
water. This may be preceded or followed by free 
cupping to the back and loins. In persons of full 
habit the scarifying should be so done as to allow the 
cups to draw % blood freely. At the same time small 
doses of the tincture of gelseminum, veratrum, aco- 
nite, or a full dose of Dover's powder should be given 
to equalize the circulation and secure rest. In the 
interval between the periods every effort should be 
made to put all the functions of the body in as 
healthy a state as possible. A favorite domestic 
remedy in some sections of the country is a tea of 
wild ginger, also called coltsfoot and Canada snake- 



FROM INFLAMMATION AND CONGESTION. 69 

Only Temporary Relief Obtained. Wliat shall be done 

root, (Asarum Canadense.) We have frequently or- 
dered it drank freely in the interval, and patients Bay 
to advantage, But the means just indicated will 
often fail to give more than temporary relief. The 
uterus retains its clot from day to day, a constant 
source of irritation, and when it is thrown off, flood- 
ing takes the place of the suppression until a new 
clot forms, then the pain is renewed. What shall 
we do for such cases? Abandon them to a life of 
wretchedness? No. I will point out the course 
that will usually prove successful if perse veringly 
followed. Relax the spasmodic stricture of the neck 
of the womb by chloroform. This is often sufficient 
to secure the removal of the clot. If this fails, sea- 
tangle or sponge tents judiciously used will succeed 
in enlarging the passage, but the clot may be sc 
tough and large as to refuse to come away with any 
reasonable amount of dilatation. If so, let it be 
broken down with the uterine sound and removed. 
Flooding will be very likely to follow. This may be 
permitted until the local plethora is removed. It 
should then be arrested by the use of lint dipped in 
alum water, packed about the neck of the womb, 
through a small speculum, or by a drachm or two of 
solution of per sulphate of iron, introduced with a 
womb syringe. But the clot so formed should not 
be permitted to remain over a few days at farthest, 
when the womb should be washed out with warm 



70 woman's monitor. 



Scarifying and Cupping. 



soft water, and some astringent, as a solution of 
ammoniated iron, alum, sulphate of zinc in glycerine, 
or the like remedy. These dressings, in bad cases, 
should be repeated every few days, until near the 
next period, when the same care and treatment as 
at the previous period should be observed. In some 
cases signal relief is obtained by scarifying and cup- 
ping one or two ounces of blood from the neck of 
the womb, just at the commencement of the men- 
strual period ; and I have had much success bleeding 
from the canal leading to the womb, by introducing 
the intra-uterine scarificator, throwing out the blade 
and cutting outward so as pretty freely to divide the 
side of the passage. Usually some blood flows, but 
the relief obtained must be by some impression made 
on the nervous sensibility of the womb, as it is usu- 
ally more marked and permanent than could be rea- 
sonably expected from the loss of a small amount of 
blood. One advantage of the scarifying plan is 
found no doubt in the unloading of the uterine ves- 
sels, allowing them to contract, and thus prevent the 
free loss of blood from the vessels of the womb, and 
restoring thereby the normal secretion from the endo- 
uterine membrane. These procedures, even the intra- 
uterine scarification, in skillful hands, are all perfectly 
safe, and not in any degree severe, as there is but 
little pain attending any of these methods. It must 
appear evident to every unprejudiced mind that the 



PUBERTY. 71 



An Appeal to the Profession. 



means here indicated offer a reasonable hope of radi- 
cally curing many unfortunate sufferers who are usu- 
ally, I might almost say, abandoned to their fate. If 
the intra-uterine membrane is not cured of the chronic 
inflammation, but only the neck of womb dilated, the 
painful menstruation may be cured, but you will 
likely only have changed the case into one of ex- 
haustion from loss of blood. I have but indicated 
the course which I believe any intelligent gynecolo- 
gist w T ould pursue. But I fear many worthy practi- 
tioners of general medicine would deem the treatment 
too radical, and temporize to the great detriment of 
patients. I have dwelt thus fully upon these cases, 
hoping to arouse more interest in them on the part 
of the profession, believing that the best interests of 
the profession, no less than duty to humanity, de- 
mand more careful attention than is usually given 
to this class of patients. 

PUBERTY. 

That period in the life of the female, when she 
ceases to be a girl and becomes a woman, is called 
the age of puberty. Previous to that time of life, 
if left to her natural inclinations, she shows but lit- 
tle if any of the distinguishing characteristics of her 
sex. But now Nature's seal is set upon her, and 
henceforth she is consecrated by the laws of her be- 
ing to the important and noble purposes of woman- 



72 woman's monitor. 



At what Age does Puberty Commence! 



hood. She has entered upon that period of her life 
which brings with it peculiar obligations to herself, 
to the whole race of mankind, and to God, the mer- 
ciful giver of the miraculous powers with which she 
is endowed. A second part in life's great drama is to 
be enacted. No longer pleased with childish sports 
and children's toys, she begins to realize that woman's 
sphere is before her — happy, thrice happy, if she steps 
forth into the arena of this second life, prepared by 
proper parental advice and noble self-resolves, to go 
forward, regardless of fashionable folly and the allure- 
ments of vice, to the development of a nobler wom- 
anhood, resolved to take the best possible care of 
that precious boon, good health, to develop her intel- 
lectual and moral nature, and thus fit herself to be 
the teacher and guide of immortal spirits, whose ear- 
liest intuitions and mental growth it may be her priv- 
ilege to nurture. 

AGE OF PUBERTY. 

The foregoing considerations would naturally lead 
us to inquire at what age does this important change 
occur. The time is much influenced by climate and 
condition of life, temperament, early education, and 
training. The average age at which the first period 
occurs, in the temperate zones, is fourteen and a half 
years. Of course there are many exceptions to this 
rule. Cases are on record in which children from 



AGE OF PUBERTY. 73 



Early Maturity — Early Decay. 



earliest infancy have had a regular periodical flow, and 
exhibited other symptoms of precocious womanhood. 
Some of these cases are of questionable authority. 
There is an instance, however, whose authority can 
not be questioned, where a French child three years 
old underwent all the changes incidental to puberty, 
and yet lived to be a healthy woman. Precocity in 
this respect is usually an evidence of some abnormal 
condition of constitutional make, and a precursor of 
early dissolution. Girls mature sooner in the torrid 
than in the temperate zones, and more tardily in 
northern latitudes than in any other parts of the 
world. It is not uncommon for girls in the south of 
France, Italy, and the Grecian Archipelago to men- 
struate and manifest the usual symptoms of puberty 
at ten years. But here, as in every other department 
of Nature's great realm, earty maturity portends pre- 
mature decay. The flower that springs up and blooms 
in a few days is soon faded and its fragrance gone. 
The tree that matures and bears fruit in a few seasons 
soon evinces signs of decay, while the sturdy oak, 
that requires a century for its development and 
growth, spreads its giant arms to the breezes of a 
thousand years, and thirty generations of frail, perish- 
ing mortals may develop, pass the transitory scene of 
their earthly career, and perish beneath its shade. 
Thus the philosophic eye discovers a correlation in all 
the forces and operations of Nature, and we are pre- 



74 woman's monitor. 



Females of Certain Races Mature Early. 



pared to understand how the woman who matures 
under the influence of tropical heat at from ten to 
twelve years, loses the bloom of youth, and is a 
wrinkled and faded woman at a period of life when 
her more tardy sister of the temperate clime has 
scarcely attained to the highest development of her 
womanhood. Far to the dreary north, Avhere the ice- 
bound earth receives aslant the rays of the Summer 
sun, in Lapland, Norway, and Siberia, where the 
storm-king holds high carnival, and all Nature through 
many weary months is locked in Winter's cold em- 
brace, man there is grim, solemn, and gloomy as the 
iceberg's crest, or snow-clad, granite mountain-top in 
the midst of a polar night. He partakes of the nat- 
ure of iris surroundings, and yields but slowly to his 
impulses and his passions. Maidens there require the 
nurturing warmth of eighteen or twenty Summers to 
bring that maturity which comes so quickly and leaves 
so swiftly in the torrid heat. But here also, following 
the law already alluded to, the northern girl retains 
her vigor and good looks to a green old age. 

Females of certain races and families mature early. 
Jewesses, for example, mature one or two years earlier 
than others in the same latitude. So do colored girls, 
and girls of Creole lineage. Napheys says : " No 
doubt these girls still retain in their blood tropic fire, 
which, at comparative recent periods, their Dithers 
felt under the vertical rays of the torrid zone." We 



AGE OF PUBERTY. 75 



Influences that Lead to Early Puberty. 



may further remark that those destined to be large 
women are slower than those whose stature will be 
small. Dark-haired and black-eyed girls develop ear- 
lier than light-haired and blue-eyed ; the fat and 
sluggish more tardy than the slender and active. 
Late suppers, highly seasoned food, tea, coffee, and 
wine, overheated rooms, feather-beds, irregular habits 
of sleep, and whatever stimulates the emotions lead 
to unnaturally early sexual life. Among these we 
may enumerate sensation novels, improper pictures, 
children's parties, love stories, the ball-room, talk of 
love and marriage, and those associations of riper 
years which are so commonly thrown around children 
in this country. Such causes may hasten puberty six 
months to one year, often to the great detriment of 
the young. Over-exertion of all kinds, hard work and 
scanty living may unnaturally postpone the period of 
puberty, and surround it with danger to the future 
health and happiness of woman. 

Care at Puberty. — About the time, usually a few 
months in duration, required to transform the thin, 
awkward Miss of thirteen or fourteen years into the 
plump and graceful woman, the tenderest of care is to 
be observed on the part of parents and guardians. 
She is entering, as it were, a new life. Her physical 
powers, as well as moral sensibilities, are undergoing 
a change. She is restless, listless, and retiring, and 
often fretful; unfit for society and for study; should 



76 woman's monitok. 



Explicit Directions for the Care of Puberty. 



not be sent to school, but should be induced to spend 
some time every day at light employment, as walk- 
ing, riding, or like exercise. At last the menstrual 
crisis is upon her; she is possibly somewhat indis- 
posed; should be carefully guarded from all unusual 
sources of excitement; should be required to retire 
early, and spend all the time in sleep she desires, but 
should arise as soon as sleep forsakes her, be it early 
or quite late in the morning. Her company should 
be most carefully selected, as should also all books 
and papers intrusted to her care. This is her period 
of greatest susceptibility. Her plastic womanhood is 
like clay in the potter's hand, and is usually molded 
to the shape of surrounding influences. But, as phy- 
sicians, w T e have less to do with the moral than the 
physical changes, and must content ourselves with 
pointing to some of the sources of danger at this 
period. The young Miss should be warmly clothed, 
and in damp and cold weather should wear flannel 
next to the skin; also, woolen hose, and shoes with 
sufficient soles to protect from damp and cold. She 
should be dressed close about the neck, to prevent se- 
rious disease being engendered by sudden chilling of 
the surface. Many young ladies drag through a life 
of wretched suffering induced by rheumatism of the 
womb caused by a cold caught at one of the early 
menstrual periods, and ofttimes have I been consulted 
by anxious mothers whose daughters confessed, when 



AGE OF PUBERTY. 77 



Indiscretion at such Times often leads to Death. 



carefully questioned, that they had put their feet into 
cold water or drank vinegar to stop their changes, be- 
cause they wished to go to a party, or did not desire 
to be bothered while at school, and when told of the 
danger of their course, would say, " I did not know 
it would hurt me; all the girls do it," meaning, of 
course, that several of their intimate acquaintances 
had* been guilty of like violation of Nature's organic 
laws. 

It is about the period of puberty, in the plastic soil 
of earliest womanhood, that the fell destroyer of the 
young, the beautiful, and the gay is wont to sow the 
blighting seeds of consumption, which so often ripen 
into bitter fruit, whose baneful poison, permeating 
every avenue of life, drags down its youthful victim 
to the shades of death. 

If but one bright flower from the family garland 
was plucked here and there at intervals so distant as 
to leave time for us to forget, before the ruthless 
destroyer again thrusts in his sickle, we might con- 
sent to say less upon this subject; but all around us, 
blighted by the mildew breath of this destroyer, like 
early flowers touched by untimely frost, the young 
and beautiful, just budding into full-blown woman- 
hood, whose capacity to enjoy God's beautiful creation 
is just unfolding, are being swept by thousands to 
untimely graves. Medical science exerts its utmost 
skill to save these bright jewels of the household, 



78 woman's monitor. 



Ways in which the Seeds of Death are Sown. 



but too often can do little more than smooth the 
pathway that leads but too surely to the tomb. Why 
is this? Let us see. Want of proper care at the 
period of puberty has fastened upon the delicate 
nature of the young woman some menstrual irregu- 
larity, portentous of serious disease of the womb. Its 
first cause may have been a cold, taken by wearing 
thin-soled shoes, or from want of sufficient clothing, at 
an evening party, and that, perchance, at the critical 
period, when she should have been at home ; or she 
may have had domestic duties to perform for parents, 
and washed or scrubbed with wet feet for hours. 
When told it was wrong, she may have replied, " It 
never hurts me." But pain and irregularity appear. 
The mere irregularity may require no treatment, but 
the disease which caused it may, or the course of life 
which produced it may sadly need mending. The 
seeds of death are sown. Then comes months, per- 
haps years, of bad health, with a thousand nameless 
ills. More or less hysteric symptoms are usually de- 
veloped — sometimes, also, palpitation of the heart, 
indigestion, and usually constipation. Often a physi- 
cian is not consulted, and if advised, perchance he is 
expected to issue with due gravity a Latin prescrip- 
tion for some nauseous drug, ask a few questions, and 
say but little about habits of life, excess of diet, or ex- 
ercise, lest he should be suspected of stepping beyond 
his sphere, and talking too much to be popular But 



AGE OF PUBERTY. 79 



Is there no Balm in Gilead? Nature's Laws Inexorable. 

the case progresses; a dry cough is added to the other 
symptoms, and anon the hectic flush suffuses the cheek. 
The last link has been forged to the chain of diseased 
action that binds its victim to the car of death. 
Through the unnaturally brilliant eye the soul looks 
out upon the gay and beautiful world, and seems to 
say, " Is there no balm in Gilead ?" Must this life, 
so joyous and bright in its early morning, be brought 
so soon to an untimely close? The fiat of Omnipotence 
has gone forth. Nature's laws are inexorable. Life 
has been poisoned at its fountain-head. Let us draw 
the curtain over the lingering tragic scene. This is 
no fancy sketch, but a truthful history of multiplied 
thousands, who have fallen in life's earliest morning 
by the sword of the avenging angel. How these an- 
gels of the household may be prevented from falling 
into the hands of the destroyer is the problem we are 
trying to solve in these pages. There is too much 
false modesty abroad* in the land. Mothers are not 
sufficiently confidential with their daughters. What 
meager information has been acquired by experience 
is safely guarded from the youthful maiden, who is 
left too often to the schooling of depraved associates 
or servants, whose very depravity is not suspected by 
the parent; or may be the earliest advice and instruc- 
tion is well meant, but not based on correct knowl- 
edge. Girls at this period are not subject to the dis- 
cipline, mental and plrvsical, that will rest the excited 



80 woman's monitor. 

Crowded Conceit and Exhibition Rooms. 

nerves and strengthen the enfeebled body — not suffi- 
ciently guarded by proper clothing from sudden atmos- 
pheric changes. How often have I gazed upon the 
gilded picture, presented in the gallery of a Sabbath- 
school concert — scores of tender children, ranging 
from twelve to sixteen years, exposed to the heated 
air of the crowded church, made poisonous by the 
effluvia of several hundred human bodies perspiring 
in the Summer heat, and further deteriorated by as 
many lungs, and numerous lamps, consuming oxygen 
and emitting deadly carbonic acid ! And often, in 
Winter, to these disease-producing causes may be 
added the confined and heated air, charged with poi- 
sonous vapors from the furnace or the stove. These 
children, lightly dressed, in obedience to the dictates 
of a murderous fashion, often with low-necked dresses 
and short sleeves, thin shoes, and gossamer hose, are 
expected to perform their part upon the stage, thus 
nerving them to the very height of intense excite- 
ment. They must return to their homes through the 
chilling night air — often with no additional protection 
for their delicate frames, or, if any, a shawl, loosely 
thrown about the shoulders. Nor is sufficient pro- 
vision usually made even in Winter to protect them 
from the sudden change, from the heated air of the 
hall or church to the piercing blast of the Winter 
night. What wonder if the destroyer should cast 
into this fertile field the seeds of decay and death! 



AGE OF PUBERTY. 81 



God's Laws can not safely be set at Defiance. 



But this is not all; observe how many of them look 
anxious and care-worn. See the nervous, restless ex- 
pression of the eye, or the heavy, drowsy look that so 
often settles upon the face as soon as they have per- 
formed their part upon the stage, and you have but 
too sure an index to the nervous exhaustion that 
preys upon the vital power. Now observe here and 
there the languid look, the shades of blue and dark, 
about the eyes, the slight tremor of the pallid lips, 
and you see the Miss who should have been in bed, 
recuperating her vital energy for the trying ordeal 
of puberty, or one of the earlier menstrual efforts. 
Think not, fond mother, that you may permit your 
daughter safely thus to set at defiance God's law, 
that governs her physical nature. Verily, in these 
cases the wages of sin is death. You may see that 
she observes the forms of the moral law, and in sim- 
ple faith you may at the family altar pray for the 
blessing of health and a long life of usefulness for 
your darling child.- But fail to study the princi- 
ples hinted at here relative to Nature's require- 
ments, and your prayers are but empty breath. 
Failing properly to guard and govern at this critical 
period is daily filling the hearts of fond parents with 
sorrow and carrying desolation and death to the fire- 
sides of thousands of happy homes. Think not that 
the allusion here made to the Sabbath-school concert 
is intended as a thrust at Sabbath-schools, or their 



82 woman's monitor. 



No Thrust intended at Sabbath-schools. 



auxiliary, the evening concert. We only mean to call 
attention to the unnecessary waste of life and health 
through want of proper knowledge and care on the 
part of parents in permitting daughters to engage in 
such exhibition at the critical period of perhaps a 
difficult puberty, or an exhausting menstrual epoch, 
when every energy of the body is necessary to fulfill 
in a proper manner Nature's inexorable requirements. 
We selected the Sabbath-school concert as an illustra- 
tion, because we had so often witnessed just what we 
have described, and in our capacity as physician been 
frequently called upon to prescribe for those whose 
simple story was, I caught cold the night of the con- 
cert. Then reflect that all over Protestant Christen- 
dom, in city, village, and hamlet, the fashion at pres- 
ent is to have frequent gatherings of the kind alluded 
to, and that it usually draws together and calls out in 
its exercises those of the tender age referred to, and 
you will see that the selection was well drawn. But 
all the evil lies in the want of thought and careful at- 
tention as to the condition of the youth on the part of 
mothers and those in charge of the young, and not in 
the managers of the Sabbath-schools — those nurseries 
of the Church, whose moralizing and Christianizing in- 
fluence extends to every avenue of society, sprinkling 
with dews of Christian grace the children of the rich 
and poor; at the same time shaping the plastic mind 
of youth to the likeness of the glorious image of the 



SECRET VICE. 83 



Secret Vice too often Ignored by Fond Parents. 



blessed Master. If we object to the exposure of youth 
insufficiently clad, at critical periods, for such purposes 
as here indicated, what shall we say of the mother who 
permits her daughter to expose herself to still greater 
risk at the evening party, at the opera, the theater, or 
in the giddy whirl of fashionable dissipation? 

The hints and suggestions here dropped are as ex 
tensive as is consistent with the limits of the present 
work. But I can not dismiss the subject without al- 
luding to another source of disease which often mani- 
fests itself at this period — whose existence is even 
ignored by many mothers, but whose fearful preva- 
lence is but too well known to the physician. Con- 
sult the records of your asylums for the insane and see 
the heavy per cent, of cases whose cause is assigned to 

SECRET VICE, 

and then reflect that this sin against nature is just 
as apt to awaken consumption, or other hereditary 
tendencies, as those of insanity, and that but a tithe 
of those who are injured would be likely to be so 
badly affected as to incur insanity, idiocy, consump- 
tion, or some other terrible penalty, and you can form 
some idea of the prevalence of the vice alluded to. 
Gladly would I have passed over this matter in si- 
lence if I could have done so consistent with a sense 
of duty. Happy would it have been if the notes of 
warning sounded years ago by Miss Catherine E. 



84 woman's monitor. 



Don't be Angry at your Family Physician for such Suggestion. 

Beecher could have reached the ear and found lodg- 
ment in the memory of all American mothers. But 
every intelligent physician knows that this cause still 
leads many, vastly too many, of our daughters to the 
grave — or worse, to the mad-house and to the brothel. 
Would we could say it is confined to the ignorant, 
degraded, and depraved ! But truth forbids. The 
effeminate daughter of luxury, cradled in the lap of 
ease and refinement, is more apt to fall than the 
daughter of hard-handed, honest toil. It is no part 
of our purpose to point out those symptoms, which so 
unerringty lead the physician to recognize these cases, 
even in the public assembly or upon the street. Hap- 
pily only the close observer of human nature can read 
their inner life. But we would say to parents and 
guardians, if your family physician suggests the pos- 
sibility, be not angry, but, like rational creatures, 
seek for evidence; observe carefully the habits and 
associations of your daughters, as no little art may be 
required to enable you to secure the facts. If you dis- 
cover error do not upbraid, for you are possibly more 
to blame than your daughter for not knowing more 
about her, and not having her confidence more fully. 
Go quietly to work in the spirit of patient Chris- 
tian forbearance, and throw around the child such 
barriers of moral restraint and teach such lessons 
of duty as may save her from this vortex of ruin. 
Often the mere knowledge of discovery is sufficient 



CHANGE OF LIFE. 85 



Such Habits no Evidence of Extraordinary Moral Depravity. 

moral restraint. We may also add that those habits 
are no evidence of extraordinary moral depravity on 
the part of the young lady, but an indication of 
perverted education or of disease — often the latter. 
Such are usually reserved, often modest in company, 
in the superlative degree. More especially will this 
be manifest in the company of gentlemen. Such 
cases should be subjected to a course of tonics, as 
iron, bark, and the preparations of phosphorus; reg- 
ular tepid baths and much exercise in the open air, 
and, if possible, change of scenery, as from the valley 
to the mountain, or the reverse — from the interior to 
the seaside, or from the seashore to the interior. In 
many cases leucorrhoea, with a troublesome pruritis 
(itching), will be found to exist, requiring copious 
injections of warm water to secure cleanliness, or a 
wash, made by dissolving from one to three drachms 
of borax to the pint of soft water. This will often 
effect a cure of the intolerable itching, and so facili- 
tate a cure of the morbid habits. 

CHANGE OF LIFE. 

This is the period in woman's sexual life when the 
menses cease to return, and the woman, so far as her 
sexual relations are concerned, passes, as it were, into 
a second childhood. It is a prevalent idea among 
women that this period is one of suffering, and thou- 
sands drag through several years of painful hemor- 



86 woman's monitor. 



Change of Life not Necessarily a Dangerous Period. 



rhage, nervous irritability, weak back, and kindred 
ills, hoping to be relieved of their troubles when 
Ihrough with the change of life, as they usually term 
it. I will not attempt to exhaust the subject, though 
it is one of much interest to females, but shall dismiss 
it with but a few practical suggestions. That this is 
a critical period in woman's life must be admitted, but 
that it is necessarily one of suffering with those orig- 
inally endowed with a good constitution we must 
deny. Every woman, when she comes into the world, 
is endowed with a certain amount of vital force, phys- 
ical energy, power of endurance, or, as it is usually 
called, strength of constitution. This is an inher- 
itance from her parents, derived in obedience to the 
laws of hereditary transmission of qualities, and 
stamped with the impress of the mother's surround- 
ings during -maternity. This constitution may be 
likened to cash in bank, upon which the individual 
may draw as accident or design may make it neces- 
sary. The whole patrimony is there, and she may 
use it to good advantage or waste it in riotous living. 
Every violation of Nature's organic law, whether by 
inusual loss of rest, over-exertion, error in dress or 
diet, or suffering from unavoidable or carelessly ac- 
quired disease, is so many checks drawn upon the 
bank. All ovarian and uterine affections that have 
been permitted to linger uncured in the hope, too 
often never to be realized, that they may get well 



CHANGE OF LIFE. 87 



Nature's Debt must be Paid to the Uttermost Farthing. 



when the change occurs, are but additional drafts. 
Nature is as shrewd a reckoner as the Venetian Shy- 
lock, and will exact the pound of flesh. She has also 
stipulated in her bond for more or less, and the blood 
also; for this vital fluid has often changed and dete- 
riorated even before the flesh is taken away by the 
emaciating process of disease. The day of reckoning 
too often comes at the period of change. Draft after 
draft has been drawn upon the vital force. The reck- 
oning comes and the balance is against the invalid — 
nature is inexorable — the debt must be paid, although 
it takes the last pound of flesh. 

How many at this period look back with remorse 
on the prodigal manner in which they have wasted 
health and strength, reluctantly consign the wasted 
casket of the soul to the keeping of death's dark angel, 
when they would gladly have dwelt in their earthly 
tabernacle a few years longer, to have enjoyed the 
varying tints and golden sunsets of life's Autumn! 
The age at which the change occurs is subject to con- 
siderable variation. It is usually at from forty to 
forty-five. The ovary ceases to produce ova, and the 
female consequently is henceforth barren. The pe- 
riod of change, in many cases, is postponed beyond 
fifty, and in some rare instances, beyond sixty. 

Examples of very early change are occasionally 
met with, in which women have ceased to menstruate 
as early as at thirty years — and yet appeared healthy. 



88 woman's monitor. 



A Peaceful and Happy Old Age to such as obey Nature's Laws. 

But early change usually indicates that the woman 
matured early and will early decay, and hence is an 
indication of short life. 

From what we have already said, you may safely 
infer that we believe woman was not designed to suffer 
any unusual pain, or risk, at the period of change. If 
her life has been well appointed as to the observance of 
nature's requirements; if no serious disease is preying 
upon the system, she may expect to pass painlessly 
and joyfully into the shades of life's evening, to enjoy 
a long and peaceful rest. Peculiarly exempt from 
those inflammations and fevers that destroy in early 
and middle life, she is likely then to live for many 
years, honored by friends and loved by kindred with 
a purer flame than ever burned upon Hymen's altar. 
But all are not so fortunate. Every physician knows 
that great care and medical skill is often required to 
carry even those who have not considered themselves 
seriously sick, through what too often proves to be the 
trying period. What then shall we say of the multi- 
plied thousands who approach this crisis in very bad 
health, or subjects of serious disease of the womb ? We 
can only say to such, if you have neglected to make a 
proper effort to get relief from your bodily ailments, 
lose no time ; if the change is upon you, seek the best 
possible medical advice. If the change is prospective 
and you look forward with dread, seek for knowledge 
of your disease ; look attentively at the delineations 



CHANGE OP LIFE. 89 



Woman's Sexual Instinct after Change of Life. 



of disease in this and similar books ; observe their pre- 
cepts, and when you have doubt as to the best course 
to pursue, seek the advice of your family physician. 
Let chronic ulcerations be healed up, leucorrhoea cured, 
excessive menstruations, irregularities, and painful 
menstruations relieved, tumors and displacements re- 
moved, and thus prepare for the coming crisis. If 
long diseased, you may not be able to get well en- 
tirely, but you may be so far benefited as to pass the 
change in comparative safety. Trust not to the delu- 
sion that the change will work a cure. True, it some- 
times does, but too often fails; chronic diseases becom- 
ing fixed in their nature, sooner or later destroy life. 
A few diseases are especially found to develop at this 
period, among which the most prominent are ovarian 
tumors and cancer. The latter is peculiarly disposed 
to attack the womb at this period, but will be consid- 
ered more fully in another place. 

Some may be curious to know as to woman's sexual 
instincts at and after this period. Usually with the 
decline of the menses she gradually loses that feeling; 
after all ovarian action has ceased, it is entirely lost, 
but this is not always the case. The sexual appetite 
is sometimes strangely augmented. This is an evi- 
dence of unusual nervous excitability of these organs, 
and is a symptom of some serious disease, present or 
prospective. In such cases every means should be 
used to quiet the passion and remove the undue nerv- 



90 woman's monitor. 



Symptoms indicaling Change of Life. 



ous excitability. She should be approached witb 
caution, and the abnormal passion seldom gratified, 
lest the excitement should hasten the development of 
fatal disease. 

It now remains for us to point out some of the symp- 
toms by which this period is indicated. The first 
symptom is a tendency to accumulate fat. At puberty, 
the first symptom is a like tendency appearing in the 
groins ; but at this change it accumulates at the lower 
part of the back of the neck, where it forms two 
distinct prominences, and is said to be an infallible 
index to this period of a woman's life. The breasts 
become flat and hard ; the legs and arms lose their 
beautiful symmetry, and become more irregular, like 
those of the male; the abdomen usually becomes some- 
what prominent by deposit of fat; the voice grows 
harsh, and the masculine characteristics more and 
more developed, until, in some cases, a pretty fair 
beard is produced. 

MISCELLANEOUS DISEASES OF FEMALES. 

In this department we shall treat of those diseases, 
organic and functional, chiefly incidental to that period 
of life when woman's sexual organs are most active. 
We shall include several affections incidental to both 
sexes, but peculiarly destructive to females, because 
they are exciting causes of ovarian or uterine dis- 
eases. Others we shall notice, because they often 



CONSTIPATION. 91 



Constipation a Fruitful Source of Disease. 



appear through sympathy with some sexual affection. 
Among the exciting causes of disease 

CONSTIPATION 

is a very common affection, and may arise from too 
heating and concentrated a diet, from abuse of cathar- 
tics, from the pressure of tumors, or from pregnancy 
and childbirth ; but more especially from neglect to 
evacuate the bowels at a regular period every day, 
and thus encouraging indolent habits on their part, 
which causes them to become filled and paralyzed 
from over-distention. It is in this manner that neg- 
lect engenders disease. Ladies going from the coun- 
try to town, or engaging in some new and exciting 
occupation, usually become constipated, because the 
attention is absorbed by new objects, and thus the 
nervous force is diverted. Nature's feeble calls are 
neglected, and a purge is soon a necessity. The irri- 
tation of the physic leaves the bowels exhausted, and 
the constipation is worse than before. Such cases 
usually proceed from bad to worse until some serious 
disease results. Let us pause to consider the anat- 
omy of the bowels, the better to enable the reader 
to understand this subject. The stomach is the re- 
ceptacle of food, where it undergoes the first process 
of digestion, and is passed on to the duodenum, or 
second stomach, where, by the assistance of the bile 
from the liver and the secretion from the pancreas, 



92 woman's monitor. 

Description of the Bowels and their Functions. 

digestion is completed. The digested mass is then 
passed through about twenty feet of small bowels, 
where the nutritive material is absorbed, and the 
residue carried on to the large bowel, which is the 
great sewer of the body, and retains the -waste ma- 
terial until it is convenient to evacuate it. The small 
intestines are folded up in the abdomen and retained 
in position by the mesentery, which consists of an ex- 
tension of the outer or peritoneal coat, so extended 
as to fasten the bowels to the body. The same mem- 
brane performs a like office for the colon or large 
bowel, and is called the mesocolon. Muscular fibers 
run lengthwise of the bowels and a coat of muscular 
tissue encircles them, which by its contraction causes 
the vermicular or worm-like motion which urges for- 
ward the contents of the tube. The lining membrane 
or mucous coat is studded with innumerable villi, mu- 
cous follicles, and glands, whose office is to absorb the 
nutritive material from the digested mass and secrete 
mucus and serum to lubricate the parts. The large 
intestine receives the debris of digestion through the 
ileo-csecal valve, from the small bowel near the right 
groin. The course of this bowel is then upward to- 
ward the liver, then across below the pit of the stom- 
ach to the left side, then downward, approaching the 
central line of the body as it nears the pelvis by a 
curve called the sigmoid flexure, and terminating in 
the rectum. You will perceive that the ascending 



CONSTIPATION. 93 



Some of the Consequences of Habitual Constipation. 



portion of the colon must carry its contents against 
gravity from the right groin up to the base of the 
liver, and it is here the principal difficulty is found 
in what is called habitual constipation. Fecal matter 
is accumulated, distending and paralyzing the large 
bowel until its function is performed in a very imper- 
fect manner. Such is the nature of the trouble; let 
us inquire into some of its consequences. 

There is pain in the right side, with a sense of 
weight and fullness, caused by the over-distention of 
the bowel ; dyspepsia, from pressure on the liver 
and stomach, impairing their functions ; disease of 
the bowels from the same cause, also displacements 
and congestions or inflammation of the ovaries and 
womb, from perverted enervation and pressure from 
the distended intestine. The secretions are more 
morbid from absorption of liquid parts of the fecal 
matter. This imparts to the breath and perspiration 
a very unpleasant odor. Such cases have usually 
tried all kinds of purgatives, but as soon as the dosing 
stops the bowels are usually as torpid as ever. Medi- 
cine soon loses its effect, and the dose must be in- 
creased or the medicine changed. Large doses often 
spend their force upon the stomach and healthy parts 
of the bowel before they reach the ascending colon, 
where the principal trouble is found, and hence fail to 
operate. How shall we effect a cure? 

First, by great care in diet, using coarse food, as 



94 woman's monitor. 



How shall we Effect a Cure ? 



brown bread> or three or four crackers daily, made by 
mixing one table-spoonful of wheat flour and two table- 
spoonfuls of sugar with one pint of wheat bran, add- 
ing sufficient water to make a pasty mixture; make 
into cakes and bake in an oven until hard. They are 
not unpleasant when softened by soaking in tea, coffee, 
water, or milk. Spices and condiments of all kinds 
should be avoided, nor should late, high-seasoned sup- 
pers be indulged in. Fruits, berries, and vegetables 
may be taken freely. Apples, pears, peaches, and 
like fruits may be used raw at meals, especially if the 
rind is eaten with the fruit. When grapes, fruits, or 
melons are used they should constitute a part of the 
meal, but digestion should not be disturbed by such 
things between meals. A glass of cold water drank 
after breakfast will assist to give that sense of full- 
ness so essential to success in securing an evacuation 
from the bowels. Free rubbing with the hand will 
facilitate peristaltic action, so will keeping the mind 
concentrated upon the necessity for an evacuation for 
half an hour after breakfast, which is no doubt the 
best period for attending to this necessity ; and no 
trivial cause should induce one to neglect attention 
to the calls of nature in this respect, but as punctually 
as the hour arrives let the invalid resort to a proper 
place, secure an easy position, and without reading, or 
in any other manner absorbing the nervous force, re- 
sign body and mind to the fulfillment in a proper man- 



CONSTIPATION. 95 



Vital Importance of Regularity in Attending to the Calls of Nature. 

ner this requirement of nature. No straining e'ffort 
should be indulged in, for it might cause blindness, 
apoplexy, or convulsions, by congesting the brain or 
retina. It might cause deafness, by rupturing dis- 
eased or delicate ear-drums. Piles, prolapsus of the 
bowels, and displacements of the womb are frequently 
produced in this manner.' Be sure, then, and avoid 
straining; do not be in a hurry; give the tardy pow- 
ers of nature a chance. No matter if you have to 
devote one hour to this business every morning. It 
will amply pay you in diminished suffering. It will 
also save you time and. money, that would be spent 
in doctor's bills and sickness, and often save life. Do 
not be discouraged if weeks or months are required 
to secure a regular condition of the bowels, and per- 
severance in correct habits, for the remainder of life, 
necessary to maintain a healthy action. It is an 
effort in the right direction, and few cases will long 
resist these best of all known methods of securing 
regularity. In long-standing cases the paralyzed 
bowel will be strengthened by from one to two 
grains of pulverized nux-vomica, taken after meals, 
three times daily. This may be safely taken for five 
or six weeks at a time, and intervals of two weeks 
should then elapse, when, if necessary, it may be 
renewed. 

A very excellent and efficient means of assisting to 
secure a cure is the use of the syringe. One of the 



96 woman's monitor. 



The Use of the Syringe. 



Davidson or Ritchison pattern will answer an excel- 
lent purpose. They can be had at any drug-store. 
With one of these syringes, from one to three pints of 
warm water, soap-suds, or as much water containing 
a handful of salt, may be gently thrown into the 
bowels. The best position is lying on the right side, 
limbs drawn up, hips some higher than shoulders. 
The liquid can in this manner be forced around to the 
ascending part of the large bowel, and softening of the 
hardened contents secured. Few invalids are so fee- 
ble as not to be able themselves to use one of these in- 
struments. Where the above directions are strictly 
followed, the syringe may soon be dispensed with. I 
have said nothing about purgative medicines, because 
they interfere with digestion, weaken the bowels, and 
will not effect a cure, in a large majority of cases, 
without correct habits, and with care, the purging 
medicine is not necessary. Remember that few can 
leave the calls of nature to the hazards of chance 
without suffering some serious trouble sooner or later. 
We have treated this subject at some length, be- 
cause we believe it is one of the most fruitful sources 
of disease among women, and the indirect cause of an 
immense amount of suffering and premature death. 

DYSPEPSIA. 

We do not design to treat of dyspepsia at length. 
It is usually caused by errors in diet, eating too much, 



DYSPEPSIA. 9 



"7 



Dyspepsia. Its Cause and Effects 

and a want of proper adaptation of food to the circum- 
stances of life. One who is much exposed to cold re- 
quires meat, butter, and grease, as the oil furnishes 
the material to maintain animal heat. A purely vege- 
table diet, and avoiding grease, may cause dyspepsia 
in cold weather, because the stomach is overtaxed to 
furnish proper food to the powers of life out of the 
coarse fare taken. On the other hand, derangements 
of the liver and kidneys are produced, and, through 
their agency on the system, indigestion, by fat meat 
and strong greasy food when the weather is warm, 
because material of that kind can not be worked up 
close by the animal economy, not being necessary for 
its use in larger quantity. Besides this source of dys- 
pepsia we may mention over-eating of proper food. The 
powers of the stomach are not likely to master more 
than the demands of the system require ; the balance 
is not perfectly digested, and fermenting, becomes a 
source of irritation that frequently leads to a diseased 
state of the mucous membrane of the stomach. The 
stomach is in direct sympathy with the womb, as 
proved by the morning sickness in the early periods 
of pregnancy; and it is common for the stomach to 
sympathize with the uterus at the menstrual period — 
witness the number who suffer from sick stomach and 
loss of appetite during menstruation. But these pe- 
riodic attacks of indigestion may so injure the stomach 
as to develop permanent dyspepsia. This is to be 



98 woman's monitor. 



Treatment and Cure. 



avoided by great care in diet as to quantity and qual- 
ity at the period. Let the diet be light, avoiding pas- 
tries and strong meats, as the stomach is sympathizing 
with the womb, and is weakened and made irritable 
by that sympathy. 

Every physician of much experience frequently 
meets with cases of dyspepsia which resist every 
resource of his art to permanently benefit, though 
plied with the best anti-dyspeptic remedy the phar- 
macy affords. These will usually be found, on careful 
examination, to suffer from piles, fistula, fissure of the 
anus, chronic inflammation of the rectum, the relics of 
a previous dysentery, or more likely from ulceration 
of the neck of the womb, chronic uterine leucorrhcea, 
or some other disease of the sexual system. These 
are a class of troubles peculiarly prone to reflect their 
irritation to the stomach. We have often found se- 
rious disease of the womb where it was not suspected 
by patient or physician, all the symptoms being of 
dyspepsia that was readily cured by care in diet, and 
removing, by proper treatment, the disease of the 
uterus. A large portion of the cases regarded and 
treated as dyspepsia, are of this kind ; the same may 
be said of 

PALPITATION OF THE HEART. 

Though palpitation is often permanent in its charac- 
ter, produced by disease of the heart from rheumatism 



SICK HEADACHE. 99 



Proper Treatment for Sick Headache. 



or other cause, it is oftener sympathetic or nervous 
palpitation. While it must be admitted that palpita- 
tion is often produced by sympathy with a deranged 
or diseased stomach, and hence, more alarming than 
dangerous, yet it is often a symptom of female disease, 
as displacements of the womb, and chronic inflamma- 
tion of the lining membrane of that organ, with or 
without serious change in the structure of the part. 
One skilled in the treatment of diseases of women 
should be consulted if regulating the bowels and care 
in diet fail to relieve. 

SICK HEADACHE. 

This is another trouble that often renders woman's 
life a burden. Its symptoms are too well understood 
to require repeating. Great care in diet and regulat- 
ing the bowels may suffice. If digestion is feeble, 
much benefit may arise from one tea-spoonful, three 
times daily before meals, of elixir of pepsin, strychnia, 
and bismuth, an elegant and efficient remedy found 
at drug stores. We have also often cured cases with 
from five to ten drops of fluid extract of ignatia, taken 
after meals three times daily. But it will be observed 
that these are directed to the removal of the disease 
of the stomach with which the head is supposed to be 
sympathizing. But the indigestion causing the trou- 
ble in the head may be producod and kept up by some 
female trouble, as stated when speaking of dyspepsia. 



100 woman's monitor. 



Treatment for Nervous Headache. Distention of the Intestines. 

NERVOUS HEADACHE. 

This variety may be known by the dull heavy pain 
in the head, intolerance of light and sound, and other 
evidences of irritability of the brain. It is common 
with those who use stimulants or tea or coffee to ex- 
cess, who are temporarily deprived of the accustomed 
beverage. When arising from this cause, it will be 
relieved by resort to the usual beverage; when from 
undue mental excitement, or loss of rest, from one to 
two tea-spoonfuls of the elixir of valerianate of am- 
monia, repeated at intervals of half an hour, affords 
prompt relief. 

TYMPANITES, 

in a general sense, means a distention of the abdo- 
men with air. Some persons believe in distention of 
the womb with air secreted from its surface ; also, in 
distention of the cavity around the bowels, produced 
in the' same manner. Permit me to say, I do not be- 
lieve in this kind of tympanites, except as the result 
of the decomposition of some substance, as a tumor or 
portions of a retained placenta. But enormous dis- 
tention of the intestines occurs, caused by decomposi- 
tion and fermentation of the partly digested contents 
of the bowels, and the action of alkaline secretions 
upon the acids thus formed. It appears frequently to 
be the result of a species of dyspepsia, caused by 



TYMPANITES. 101 



Mistaken Ideas. Proper Treatment. 

sympathy with disease of the womb, and is common 
in hysteric women, and frequently occurs about the 
change of life. At this period not only the patient, 
but the careless physician, is often led into the belief 
that pregnancy has occurred, because the gradual dis- 
tention of the abdomen is accompanied with sup- 
pressed menstruation. 

I have said that this trouble is usually associated 
with some form of derangement or disease of the 
womb. This should be sought out and removed, or 
the' trouble will be liable to recur when removed. 
Relief is readily obtained by carefully bandaging the 
abdomen with a flannel roller, and purging with the 
following mixture, recommended by Prof. Meigs in 
his letters to his class : 



# Manna 1 ounce. 

Anniseed 1 drachm. 

Boiling water 8 ounces. 

Mix. 

Let the mixture rest half an hour, then strain the 
liquor; to the strained liquor add three or four drachms 
of carbonate of magnesia; stir well, and take a wine- 
glassful every three hours, until it operates. Re- 
peated purging with this mixture will rarely fail to 
remove the bloating. Twenty-drop doses three times 
daily, after eating, of liquid bisulphate of soda will 
prevent the accumulation of the gas while it is used ; 
and sometimes suffice for a cure. 



102 woman's monitor. 



Cause and Effect of Piles, External and Internal. 



DISEASES OF THE RECTUM AND ANUS. 

Many ladies suffer for years from trouble in this 
part of the body, but from delicacy do not seek med- 
ical aid. The most common trouble here is 

PILES. 

These are external and internal — both are a source 
of much suffering. The external are caused by the 
rupture of one of the numerous veins about the anus 
outside the sphincter muscle that closes the bowel, .and 
comes on from straining at stool, or in lifting a burden. 
A clot forms, sometimes quite superficial, at others 
deep-seated. This may be partly removed by absorp- 
tion, may suppurate and form an abscess, or inflame, 
causing a hard tumor, and remain painful many days. 
The bowels should be regulated and a warm poultice 
applied, or an ointment made by boiling stramonium 
(or Jamestown weed) leaves in lard. Prompt relief 
is obtained by opening the tumor and allowing the 
blood-clot to escape. The internal variety are one or 
more hard tumors, or more commonly, soft bleeding 
tumors, which come down and bleed when at stool. 
They keep up, by their irritation, pain in the back, 
sympathetic disease of the womb, bladder, kidneys, 
and liver. They are said at times to result from con- 
gestion and other diseases of the liver, which, by pre- 
venting free return of blood to the general circulation, 



FISSURE OF THE ANUS. 103 



Cure by Surgical Means. Fissure of (be Anus 

produce congestion in the vessels of the rectum. The 
bowels should be kept soluble by the syringe, or by 
very small doses of Epsom salts, taken three times 
daily, and by proper diet, as recommended when speak- 
ing of constipation. Balsam of copaiba appears to act 
as a specific in some cases ; the best form is capsules, 
of which one or two may be taken three times daily 
if the. stomach does not revolt, as it sometimes does. 
The prolapsed part should be well washed with warm 
water, and the ointment above mentioned applied and 
pressed carefully up and put far enough back to pre- 
vent strangulation. 

A permanent cure may be safely effected by the 
knife, ligature, or erasure, in the hands of a skillful 
surgeon, and where the health suffers from the irrita- 
tion, a cure by one of these radical means should not 
be delayed. 

FISSURE OF THE ANUS 

is a crack or cleft formed at the edge of the anus, and 
sometimes becoming quite deep, with hard edges. 
When well developed, it does not tend to cure, but 
grows gradually worse. The milder forms are mere 
cracks in the mucous membrane, just within the verge 
of the anus. Even the deepest clefts, probably two 
inches long, are seldom more than one-twelfth of an 
inch wide. The bottom of the ulcer usually exhibits a 
pale gray appearance. The suffering from this cause 



104 woman's monitor. 

Symptoms and Treatment. 

often amounts to perfect agony, especially when the 
bowels are moved. The operations are usually fol- 
lowed by pain and straining, with a feeling of weight 
in the parts ; also a sense of weight and soreness in 
the perineum and thighs. The distress may be ag- 
gravated by riding, walking, sexual intercourse, and 
sitting upon a hard cushion. It may produce irrita- 
bility of the bladder, also a sallow and sickly expres- 
sion of countenance, and decline in strength. 

Treatment. — Occasional mild purgative doses of cal- 
omel, or blue mass, to correct the secretions. A wash 
made by dissolving two grains of corrosive sublimate 
in four ounces of lime water. If much pain, bathe 
frequently with flaxseed tea, to which a table-spoonful 
of laudanum may be added to the pint. These means 
failing, any surgeon will divide the bottom of the sore 
with a knife, and trim the hardened edges with the 
scissors; a speedy cure is then almost certain. The 
operation causes but little pain. Chronic ulcers and 
inflammations upon the mucous surface of the rectum, 
especially near the anus, are common ; they usually 
result from piles or chronic dysentery. Care in diet, 
and careful regulation of the bowels with injections of 
w T eak solutions of sulphate of zinc, sulphate of copper, 
or carbolic acid, repeated twice or thrice a day usually 
suffices for a cure. These failing, the anal speculum 
may expose the parts, when ulcers will probably be 
found, and should be touched with nitrate of silver. 



FISTULA OF THE ANUS. 105 

Three Varieties of Fistula of the Anus. Proper Treatment. 

FISTULA OF THE ANUS 

are of three kinds: those in which an abscess forms 
near and breaks into the bowel, forming an internal 
fistula ; when it opens outside without reaching the 
bowels, producing external fistula ; when the opening 
externally exists in connection with an internal open- 
ing, forming complete fistula. This disease keeps up 
considerable irritation, and appears in many cases to 
produce a desponding state of mind. It is difficult to 
keep clean, yet care in this respect is essential to a 
cure. I only mention this disease that those afflicted 
may take warning not to allow such trouble to wear 
out iife by slow degrees, but resort to a physician who 
will readily cure by one of the many methods pursued 
by surgeons. 

I have tried most of the remedies recommended for 
injecting the sinuses of fistula, also many caustics 
which were lauded in the medical journals as curative 
in these cases ; they are all more severe than the sur- 
gical method, and by no means so sure. If a person 
has become exhausted by consumption, or some other 
disease, in connection with fistula, as often happens, 
interference is of doubtful propriety. But in cases 
only threatened or fearing such trouble, the fistula 
should be cured, as all exhausting discharges tend to 
break down the system and fasten the development of 
consumption and like affections. 



106 woman's monitor. 



How to Detect Kidney Disease. Superinducing Causes. 

__ 

DISEASE OF THE KIDNEYS 

may be known by the changes in the color, quantity, 
and quality of the water, also by pain and weakness 
in the back, and a tenderness on pressure at the sides 
of the backbone, just behind the short ribs. Active 
inflammation of the kidneys will be manifested by 
pain in the back, usually by suspended secretion, or 
great diminution of the quantity of urine, sometimes 
by blood in the water, and more frequently by the 
presence of albumen, which may be detected by heat- 
ing a quantity of the water to the boiling point, when 
it will look more or less milky if albumen is present. 
Severe constitutional symptoms attend this disease. 
It is rapidly fatal if not relieved. A minor degree 
of the same symptoms are usually present in 

CHRONIC INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS, 

to which are added dropsical troubles, anaemia, de- 
bility, and permanent trouble of the digestive system. 
Disease of the kidneys may arise from a cold — is com- 
mon in the course of rheumatism, and frequently oc- 
curs in the course of, or follows, typhoid fever, cholera, 
measles, scarlet fever, and similar affections. Kidney 
disease also frequently arises from injury to the side 
or back, by blows, falls, etc. All forms of kidney dis- 
ease should be regarded with suspicion; especially 
should this be the case if a very large quantity of 



DISEASES OF THE BLADDER AND URETHRA. 107 

Prompt, Energetic, and Skillful Treatment Required. 

water is passed for many consecutive days, as it 
may be found to contain sugar, indicating diabetis, 
which is a very fatal disease. All forms of kidney 
trouble should be early subject to the care of the 
highest form of medical talent within reach. No 
tampering, no patent medicines, or domestic drugging 
should be allowed. 

DISEASES OF THE BLADDER AND URETHRA 

are very common among women, also painful and 
frequent urinating, sometimes with scalding of the 
passage and external genitals. This may arise from 
a highly acid condition of the urine, and is relieved 
by fifteen or twenty grains of bicarbonate of soda, 
taken in water three times daily, and care in diet to 
correct the bad digestion, upon which the acid in the 
urine depends. Similar symptoms will arise from 
gravel in the bladder, but this is- not very common 
among women. The most usual cause of urinary trou- 
ble is anteversion, or tipping forward of the womb, by 
which pressure is made upon the bladder. The best 
treatment is to correct the bad position of the womb 
by the uterine repositor, and maintain it in place by 
proper support. 

PRURITUS. 

This is an intolerable itching of the genitals. It 
comes on gradually. At first it may be troublesome 



108 woman's monitor. 



Description of Pruritus. The Cause should be Sought out and Removed 

only after exertion or when exposed to artificial heat, 
or just before or after menstruation. It is quite com- 
mon about the change of life, and not unusual in quite 
elderly ladies. It is not in itself a disease, but often 
a symptom of some obscure trouble. It is aggravated 
by the very counter irritation which it demands for its 
relief, the rubbing and scratching rendering the parts 
more sensitive. This trouble often becomes so severe 
as to render the patient unfit for society, and despond- 
ing, depressed, and wretched in the extreme, requir- 
ing opium, or what we prefer, hydrate of chloral, 
to procure sleep. It may be caused by leucorrhoea, 
the discharge of cancer, dribbling of urine, eruptions 
on the vulva, and animal parasites. The cause should 
be sought out and if possible removed. The most 
common of these are leucorrhoea. But cases will oc- 
cur in which no eruption can be discovered upon the 
parts — no" leucorrhea is known to exist, and yet the 
itching is at times very severe. In these cases per- 
verted nervous sensibility is said to be the cause, but 
I think the perversion is kept up by a discharge, very 
acrid in its character, though in a very limited quan- 
tity, for such cases are relieved by placing a lock of 
cotton against the neck of the womb, to absorb any 
discharge that may occur. The warm sitz-bath should 
be used at least twice daily, and while in the bath the 
vaginal syringe freely employed. Carbolic acid crys- 
tals, twenty to thirty grains to the pint of soft water, 



ERUPTIVE DISEASES OF GENITALS. 109 

Treatment Eruptive Diseases of the Genitals. 

or one drachm of borax to the pint of water, and used 
with a syringe three times daily, often afford relief. 
But every physician will find cases that will require 
that the parts shall be brushed with a strong solution, 
or be touched lightly with the solid lunar caustic, be- 
fore the disease of the mucous surface upon which the 
pruritus depends can be relieved. Persons afflicted 
with pruritus usually require good food, fresh air, and 
preparations of Peruvian bark and iron. 

ERUPTIVE DISEASES OF GENITALS. 

Few afflictions of the skin but may affect the vulva 
and vaginal mucous surface. These, besides pro- 
ducing pruritus, as just stated, are a fruitful source 
of leucorrhoea. Many of these affections yield to 
care and diet — using principally vegetables and fruit, 
avoiding meat, pastries, and high-seasoned dishes. 
Fowler's solution of arsenic taken for several weeks, 
in doses ranging from one to ten drops, as the stom- 
ach will bear it, is excellent. The injections men- 
tioned when treating of pruritus, are often useful in 
these troubles. Some may require stronger applica- 
tions, by means of a speculum and brush, but these 
can only be safely used by the physician. 

INFLAMMATION, 

both chronic and acute, of the mucous surfaces of 
the vulva and vagina, is very common, and may re- 



110 woman's monitor. 



Inflammation of the Vulva and Vagina. Treatment 

suit from eruptive diseases — onanism, injury, chem- 
ical irritants, want of cleanliness, and contagion. The 
parts are at first dry, red, and painful, then a free flow 
of pus takes place, which bathes the parts, and stains 
the linen of a yellowish hue. Superficial ulcers may 
be scattered over the parts, and sometimes a diph- 
theritic membrane may be seen adhering to them. 
Sometimes the urinary passage becomes affected, caus- 
ing pain and scalding when urinating. The trouble 
may be confined to the vulva, or may extend to the 
mucous surface of the birth-passage, and even to the 
w T omb. Many of these cases in good constitutions 
would recover in time, but would be likely to run a 
painful and tedious course, and perhaps give rise to 
some serious complication, as chronic inflammation of 
the vagina, accompanied with exhausting leucorrhoea, 
or to inflammation of the womb or its lining mem- 
brane, when a new class of symptoms would be de- 
veloped. If properly treated relief should soon be 
obtained. 

Treatment. — If the inflammation is active, the pa- 
tient should be kept in bed upon low diet, and the 
bowels freely moved with salts or citrate of magnesia. 
The strictest cleanliness should be observed. The 
external parts should be frequently bathed in warm 
water, at least three or four times daily, and a warm 
poultice of powdered linseed, mush, or grated potato 
applied. The poultice may be wet with watery ex- 



INFLAMMATION. Ill 



Further Directions. 



tract of opium to advantage. The labia should be 
kept separated by lint wet with equal parts of lauda- 
num, glycerine, and water. It is often useful to stir 
this thick with sub-nitrate of bismuth. If the disease 
extends to the vagina, a syringe should be used, or 
lint wet with the last-named preparation may be em- 
ployed and introduced by means of a sponge repositor, 
or a small speculum, and a rod to push out the lint as 
the instrument is withdrawn. In some cases the dis- 
charges are very offensive ; these should be injected 
with a very weak solution of permanganate of potassa 
in water, or fifteen grains of carbolic acid crystals, 
dissolved in one pint of soft water, may be employed. 
These injections should be repeated two or three times 
daily. If the diseased action extends to the cavity 
of the womb, your injections, though necessary to se- 
cure cleanliness, will not suffice — a tedious uterine 
leucorrhcea will harass the patient. If better at times, 
the acrid discharges from the womb will come down 
over the partly cured surfaces and soon light up dis- 
ease again. These must be treated by the physician 
who, by the aid of the speculum and uterine swab, or 
the intra-uterine syringe, will carry ointments and 
astringent liquids into the womb, and by contact with 
the diseased surfaces, reach the trouble, in which the 
ordinary routine of .drugging would avail but little. 

Inflammation of the vulva, if imperfectly cured, may 
leave a very troublesome pruritus, either by the chronic 



112 woman's monitor. 



Inflammation of the Vulva, etc. 



trouble left lingering in the uterus, or by some im- 
pression left upon the nerves of the part, perverting 
their function. 

Inflammation of the vaginal mucous surface still 
more certainly leaves chronic disease, and as this is 
usually accompanied by a profuse leucorrhoea, the parts 
become relaxed, so that in addition to the exhausting 
effect upon the system at large, it induces falling of 
the womb. As already stated, the contracted vagina 
forms a column which furnishes support to the womb; 
when it is relaxed by the debilitating influence of the 
leucorrhoea, it readily permits the womb to descend, 
thus becoming one of the most fruitful sources of 
prolapsus. 

DISEASE OF THE NECK OF THE WOMB. 

It must be remembered that the vaginal mucous 
surface is continuous and in contact with the invest- 
ing surface of the neck of the womb, w T hich projects 
some distance into the vagina. Disease of the neck 
of the womb thus becomes associated with these cases. 
As the neck of the womb is very vascular and studded 
with glands, when inflammation attacks these parts, 
the trouble often becomes deeper seated and its results 
more serious. Here we often find a granular surface, 
abrasion, ulcerated and frequently extensive enlarge- 
ment of parts, a morbid development of the lower part 
of the womb occurring under the irritating influence 



DISEASE OF THE NECK OF THE WOMB. 113 

Thousands of Purely Imaginary Cases Treated by Physicians. 

of disease ; this increases the weight, and thus assists 
to drag down the womb. The strain upon its vessels 
and nerves furnishes additional sources of congestion, 
chronic inflammation, and their results, a class of 
troubles that are frequently reflected to other parts, 
causing dizziness in the head, confusion or partial loss 
of sight, mental hallucinations, irritability of temper, 
and frequently insanity; also, a sense of choking in 
the throat, palpitation of the heart, difficulty of breath- 
ing, dyspepsia, bloated abdomen, pain in the back, 
hips, and thighs, with derangement of liver and kid- 
neys. Several of these symptoms may appear to- 
gether, or some one may be very prominent. Thou- 
sands are treated for some disease that exists only in 
the imagination of the physician, because the symp- 
toms indicating the disease for which the patient is 
treated, are produced by disease in the parts referred 
to above, and reflected through the spine to the part 
apparently afflicted, or I should rather have said, sym- 
pathetically affected. 

From some peculiarity of nervous constitution there 
appears to be no direct relation between the amount 
of disease and the magnitude of its results. I have 
frequently seen severe nervous disturbance of distant 
parts, often to the extent of confining one in bed for 
months, from the irritation of a small pile tumor in 
the rectum, or a very small but equally irritable 

tumor at the mouth of the urethra. In like mannei 

10 



114 woman's monitor. 



Sympathetic Troubles. Treatment 

a small ulcer, or a slight abrasion about the neck of 
the womb, may produce severe palpitation of the heart 
or dyspepsia, and perpetuate it through months until 
it becomes a fixed organic disease; and I am of the 
opinion that much of the lung disease so common in 
this country has its origin remotely in irritation trans- 
mitted from the pelvis and working out fatal results, 
through nervous prostration and bad digestion. 

Treatment. — The same suppositories and injections 
recommended in the treatment of disease of the vaginal 
surface, cautiously used so as to be certainly applied to 
the neck of the womb, may be successful; but a large 
majority will be but temporarily benefited — the gen- 
eral health may be much improved by careful diet, 
regulating the bowels, and by copious injections of 
water, as hot as can be borne, against the neck of the 
womb twice daily. Cases in which the vaginal sur- 
face is principally involved may be usually known by 
the free watery leucorrhcea, whereas the discharges 
coming from the glands at the neck of the womb are 
more tough and thick. In addition to the prescrip 
tion recommended while speaking of vaginal disease, 
we may mention the excellent astringent and tonic 
effect of injections of water, in which is dissolved 
from twenty to sixty grains of ammoniated iron alum 
to the pint. To effect a cure, many of the cases will 
require careful. applications once a week, for several 
months, of saturated solutions of ammoniated iron 



DISEASE OF THE NECK OF THE WOMB. 115 

Patched up, but not Cured 

alum, strong solutions of permanganate of potassa, oint- 
ments of iodine, acid nitrate of mercury, or better, 
in many cases, than any of these, solid nitrate of 
silver, drawn lightly over the diseased surface. But 
such applications are only safe in the hands of a ju- 
dicious physician, who alone can judge of their ne- 
cessity. 

Fortunately for humanity many very able physi- 
cians, both male and female, are engaged in careful 
study and successful treatment of these diseases, and 
many are now speedily cured who a few years ago 
would have dragged through a miserable existence, 
and at last, by slow degrees, yielded to the destroy- 
ing influence of a local trouble, which will in time 
undermine the best constitution. I may say with 
reference to this, as to the forms of uterine disease, 
shortly to be mentioned, that many go to water-cures 
and similar places of resort and return much im- 
proved in health, but soon find that they are relaps- 
ing into their old invalid habits. This is because the 
general health has been built up by the course of 
medicine and change of diet, bathing, etc., but the 
local uterine affliction remains uncured, and soon re- 
gains its old influence over the powers of life. Let 
such look carefully to the state of their uterine and 
ovarian system. Diseases of the cervical canal are 
very prevalent, and it must be apparent to every one 
at all acquainted with anatomy that no injections wiU 



116 woman's monitor. 



Chronic Inflammation, etc., of the Cervical Canal. 



reach the canal, unless it is very open, if thrown up 
with an ordinary syringe. Chronic inflammation and 
ulceration of the mucous surface of this canal, which 
is from one to one and a half inches long, and reaches 
from the lower end of the neck of the womb to the 
cavity in its center, is caused by an extension of in- 
flammation, as before stated, from the vagina and 
neck of the womb, by the acrid character of the dis- 
charges coming from disease in the cavity of the 
womb, and from injury accruing in childbirth or mis- 
carriage, and also very frequently from the use of 
quills, pencils, knitting-needles, or similar measures 
used by the woman herself or some friend, in an 
effort to procure abortion. Disease here is a fre- 
quent cause of sterility, as well as a cause of many of 
the sympathetic affections mentioned in the last chap- 
ter. It is a more fruitful source of irregular and pain- 
ful menstruation than disease of the labia, vagina, or 
neck of the womb. If disease of this part occur alone, 
it may not be manifest by any symptom that could 
lead unerringly to its existence for some time. There 
will usually, however, be a discharge of thick gummy 
substance resembling boiled starch. The patient will 
become nervous, irascible, moody, and often hyster- 
ical, with diminished power of endurance and capacity 
for muscular exercise. These, if accompanied with 
evidences of impaired nutrition, loss of appetite, and 
imperfect digestion, should excite serious apprehen- 



ACUTE INFLAMMATION OF THE WOMB. 117 

Do not Tamper with such Cases. 

sion of disease in this locality, especially if no other 
cause is apparent. 

We have only to say further as to treatment, do 
not tamper with such cases until the health is under- 
mined. Consult your family physician; if he appears 
to understand your malady, and makes the necessary 
examination to enable him to treat you intelligently, 
confide in his prescriptions and follow his directions; 
if not, seek more skillful aid, at whatever cost of time 
or money within your reach, as there is no safety but 
in a perfect cure of your local disease. The sympa- 
thetic complications will usually vanish when this is 
accomplished. A cure can only be hoped for by 
applying some ointment or lotion, similar to those 
spoken of when treating of disease of the neck of 
the womb, and this can only be accomplished by a 
brush or swab, or other suitable instrument. 

ACUTE INFLAMMATION OF THE WOMB. 

Inflammation of the womb, both chronic and acute, 
is common. The acute variety may be caused by 
childbirth or abortion, injuries, excessive sexual in- 
dulgence, displacement of the womb, the use of pes- 
saries, and extension of inflammation through the 
uterine neck. Inflammation here may involve the 
muscular structure of the womb, as well as its lining 
membrane, and cause extensive enlargement. 

Symptoms. — Chill followed by fever, violent pain 



118 woman's monitor. 



Symptoms and Treatment of Inflammation of tlie Womb. 



in the lower part of the bowels, also irritation of 
the bladder and rectum and severe pain in the womb, 
and usually sickness and vomiting with diarrhea. 
The pain often extends to the thighs. If the lining 
membrane is involved a copious discharge of mucous 
and purulent matter may be expected early in the 
progress of the case. 

Treatment. — The patient should be placed on her 
back in bed and not allowed to sit up under any pre- 
text whatever, not even to evacuate the bowels. 
Warm flaxseed, or corn-meal poultice, or cloths 
wrung out of warm w 7 ater applied to the bowels, and 
the family physician sent for, whose judicious pre- 
scriptions will soon arrest the disease. Many weeks 
should elapse before the patient resumes her usual 
course of life, as carelessness in this respect may re- 
sult in a lasting chronic trouble. She should but 
slowly resume the erect posture, for the enlarged 
womb is too heavy for its ligaments, and prolapsus or 
other bad position of the womb may occur. She 
should be up but a short time and then lie down to 
rest the uterine ligaments, and so gradually resume 
her usual habits, always lying down as soon as a 
sense of weight and fatigue oppress her. 

CHRONIC INFLAMMATION OF THE WOMB 

may result from the same causes as the acute, or the 
acute may terminate in chronic inflammation. The 



CHRONIC INFLAMMATION OF THE WOMB. 119 



Causes, etc., of Chronic Inflammation of the Womb. 



presence of tumors in the womb may keep up conges- 
tion, and at last produce chronic inflammation. It is 
also produced by bad positions of the womb, disturbing 
the circulation through the organ. Among the causes 
enumerated as producing the acute variety, we men- 
tioned childbirth and abortions. While the acute form 
is sometimes produced in this way, a sub-acute inflam- 
mation persisting as a chronic disease is frequently 
found to follow such conditions. If the substance of 
the uterine body is involved the discharge will usu- 
ally be tinged with blood, and frequently severe flood- 
ing will occur. Menstrual irregularities and nervous 
disorders are seldom absent. Pain in the back and 
groin, with an annoying and burning sensation over the 
pubis, is very common. This form of disease seldom 
gets well when left to itself or w T hen constitutional 
means alone are resorted to. It may be palliated 
and relieved in severity by alteratives and tonics. 
Sometimes the disease remains for a long time con- 
fined to the mucous surface, but often it tends to 
involve the uterine body, and gives rise to prolapsus 
and other complications. 

Treatment. — Good diet, fresh air, and systematic 
exercise, avoiding every circumstance calculated to 
depress the spirits, with change of air and scene, 
and such medication as may be necessary to improve 
the general health. If the womb is displaced from 
weight of the enlarged organ, some form of sup- 



120 woman's monitor. 



Treatment. 

port, possibly a stem pessary, may be required. 
Months will elapse under any circumstance before a 
perfect cure is effected. The medical treatment con- 
sists in medicated tents applied to the canal of the 
neck, and ointments and solutions to the uterine cav- 
ity with a probang or ointment syringe, assisted by 
hot water injections to the vagina; bathing, hip-bath, 
and such other means as a physician may prescribe. 
Allow such troubles to linger and a fearful day of 
reckoning is not far distant. The change of life 
will bring great perils if they do not come before. 
Exhausting floodings are common, which reduce the 
system, so that it falls an easy prey to other diseases; 
or the chronic difficulty keeping up a constant irrita- 
tion develops cancer, which, when once established, 
speedily results in death. 

Before dismissing this subject I will add that the 
curability of all these forms of disease depends much 
upon the constitutional peculiarities of the individual. 
If there lurks within the blood a constitutional taint 
of rheumatism, syphilis, scrofula, or cancer, whether 
inherited or acquired, the taint gives its peculiar type 
to the local disease, and stamps its impress upon its 
every complication. While the progress of such local 
affections, by reducing the vital powers, tends to de- 
velop the inherited or acquired vice of the consti- 
tution, it is apparent that many who might have 
avoided disease of the sexual system by a judicious 



TUMORS. 121 



Constitutional Taint. Tumors in and about the Womb. 

and well-regulated life, after disease has been ac- 
quired, find it more difficult to cure, because of the 
above-mentioned tendency to some degeneration of 
tissue, and that such as know that they have lin- 
gering in their blood such deleterious elements can 
ill afford to allow chronic diseases to linger, but should 
use every exertion to remove by judicious treatment 
the first symptoms of disease. 

TUMORS. 

Tumors in and about the womb are not uncom- 
mon. They are of several kinds, and may develop 
on the neck of the womb in its substance or within 
its cavity. Hard, fibrous tumors may occupy any 
part of the womb, but more usually appear in the 
body or fundus. The number is almost unlimited, as 
also the size. They usually appear between the thir- 
tieth and fiftieth year — are more common in the ster- 
ile than those who have borne children. Those who 
suffer from menstrual disorders are more liable to be 
attacked, because these disorders are caused by some 
disease of the womb, and all diseased action in the 
parts tends naturally to the protection of morbid 
growth. They are usually complicated with piles, 
difficulty in evacuating the bowels, chronic inflamma- 
tion of the womb and bladder, and displacements of 
the uterus. The most prominent symptoms are 

painful menstruation, profuse leucorrhoea, watery d.is- 

11 



122 woman's monitor. 



Symptoms. Treatment. 

charges from the womb, pains throughout the pelvis, 
excessive menstruation, or severe flooding. These 
sometimes degenerate into malignant disease, and 
nature sometimes effects a cure by absorption, or 
by expulsion from rupture of attachment, and by 
sloughing from deprivation of nutrition. An attack 
of inflammation sometimes destroys them. Their ex- 
istence may only be determined in many cases by the 
physician on careful examination. 

Treatment may be curative or palliative. The for- 
mer consists in the use of a properly adjusted abdom- 
inal supporter or pessary, and injections of astringents 
to control leucorrhoea, and the use of opium or simi- 
lar means to control pain. The treatment is surgical, 
and is only justifiable under two circumstances : first, 
where the growth is so situated as to render the re- 
moval both easy and safe ; second, where the dis- 
ease is threatening the patient's life. The means of 
removal are the ligature, the knife, caustics, and the 
e'raseur. 

I may remark before dismissing the subject, that I 
have frequently known local depletions, astringent in- 
jections, and the application of iodine to the parts, with 
tonics and iodide of potassium administered internally, 
to relieve the urgent symptoms, and several of my old 
patients are now enjoying comparatively good health, 
yet still carry quite large uterine fibroids, but which, 
for several years past, have not grown much, if any. 



h 



POLYPOID TUMORS. 123 



Tumors and their Treatment. 



POLYPOID TUMORS. 

These exist in great variety, and are variously- 
classified by authors. They may be hard or soft, 
muscular or fibrous, glandular or cellular, cystic or 
vascular, etc. Their attachment is as various as their 
character, sometimes upon the vaginal part of the 
neck, in the canal of the cervex, or within the cavity. 
The symptoms are the same as those enumerated when 
speaking of fibrous tumors, except that painful men- 
struation is not common only in cases where a polypi 
acts as a ball valve, preventing the escape of men- 
strual blood. Nature may possibly expel these from 
the womb with such force as to rupture their attach- 
ment, and effect a cure, but in a majority of cases 
they destroy the patient with anaemia, or more directly 
by exhausting hemorrhage. They may usually be 
readily and permanently cured by the surgeon by 
means of ligature, twisting off with the forceps, or by 
excision with the knife, or e'raseur. 

CANCEROUS TUMORS. 

Persons long subject to disease about the womb, 
especially if known to possess a hereditary tendency 
to cancer or malignant tumors of any kind, may well 
fear the encroachments of cancer of the womb. If to 
constitutional debility there is added a pallid, sallow 
face, dark grumous or ichorous and fetid discharges, 



124 woman's monitor. 



Predisposing causes of Cancerous Tumors of the Womb. Avoid Quacks. 

much hemorrhage, pain through the pelvis, and ten- 
derness on motion or coition, there is still greater 
cause for fear. Among the predisposing causes are 
life in a large city, want of food, pure air and exer- 
cise, grief and other depressing mental influences, 
middle or advanced life, and hereditary tendencies. 
The examination of the discharges from an open sore 
with the microscope, furnishes a safe guide to the 
nature of the case, and all cases presenting such seri- 
ous symptoms should be carefully examined by a 
physician. If true cancer is found to exist, let no 
promises to cure on the part of the boasting pretender 
induce a lady to subject herself to his plasters and 
ointments, nor hints of hope from surgeons induce her 
to permit an operation, as all experience has shown 
that all such management is fraught with imminent 
danger, and only hastens a fatal issue. The duration 
of the disease will depend upon the constitution and 
treatment to some extent, and vary from a few months 
to several years- — the average about three years — 
but all terminate in death. A liberal diet should be 
furnished, anodynes given to relieve pain, and astrin- 
gent injections to control hemorrhage. Also, copious 
injections every day of solutions of permanganate of 
potassa, ten to twenty grains to the pint of warm 
water, or as much carbolic acid crystals. These de- 
stroy the fetor of the discharge, and prevent the cor- 



PRODUCTS OF CONCEPTION. 125 

Apply to a Skillful Physician. Blighted Product of Conception. 

rosive action often troublesome upon the vagina and 
external genitals. 

A variety of tumors not mentioned here, of a ma- 
lignant type, are found in the womb, but their history 
would be uninteresting, as they are all attended with 
similar symptoms with those already named. Some 
are as incurable as cancer, others are amenable to the 
surgeon's art. But we have said sufficient to guide 
women to a correct idea as to the probable seat and 
nature of these troubles, and a more accurate diagno- 
sis is only attainable by such study and experience 
as the physician should possess, and to whom all should 
apply early when afflicted with any of the symptoms 
denoting serious disease. 

PRODUCTS OF CONCEPTION. 

The womb is often filled for months with a blighted 
product of conception. At first the female considers 
herself pregnant, and evinces the usual symptoms, 
but quickening does not come on at the proper time, 
neither does the development of the abdomen progress 
as fast as might be expected. At last her situation 
becomes puzzling in the extreme. The general health 
appears to be unaccountably disturbed. She is ap- 
prehensive of danger, and often becomes nervous and 
prostrated in mind and body. At length pain of a 
periodic character appears, often, also, exhausting 
hemorrhage, when the womb throws off a small after- 



126 woman's monitor. 



Sometimes such Product Remains for Months. 



birth, with no appearance of membranes and foetus. 
Or there may be a pretty well developed sack of 
waters without appearance of cord or foetus. Often 
the flooding is so severe as to call for instrumental as- 
sistance to clear the womb, and the adoption of meas- 
ures to arrest the bleeding. Sometimes these products 
of conception remain for many months, keeping up much 
flooding, especially if but a small irregular mass of pla- 
centa remains still attached, and retaining its vitality 
after the regular menstrual crisis is established. At 
the "periods" the hemorrhage is profuse, at other 
times a similar hemorrhage is kept up by a large 
mass of granulation in the shape of a polypi sprouting 
from a placental sore. When exhausting hemorrhage 
has no other assignable cause, and especially if the 
womb is evincing a tendency to develop, as it will 
from the irritation of such presence, and the breasts 
manifest an unusual sympathy with the womb, some in- 
tra-uterine development may be suspected. The judi- 
cious physician will use a speculum, and examine with 
the uterine sound; if need be, dilating the neck of 
the womb with sea-tangle or sponge tents to enable 
him to be more accurate in examination, and to re- 
move any morbid development that may be found. 
Astringent injections for a few weeks after the uterus 
is clear and a course of tonics soon effects a cure of 
the local trouble in the womb, and checks the uterine 
leucorrhoea so often present in such cases. But there 



DISPLACEMENTS OF THE WOMB. 127 

Causes of Displacements of the Womb. 

is often a peculiar tendency to repeat these attacks 
In such cases some serious disease of the womb or 
ovaria should be suspected, and the case should be 
submitted to a careful examination by a physician. 
Delays are fraught with danger, as repeated attacks 
of hemorrhage may develop something still more 
dangerous. 

DISPLACEMENTS OF THE WOMB. 

These may occur suddenly at any period of life, 
from falls, blows, or overlifting, especially of weights 
that must be raised higher than the shoulders, a task 
imposing peculiar strain upon the miiscles of the 
abdomen. The uterus from such cause may be at 
once dislocated, and followed immediately by pain 
in the abdomen, back, hips, or pelvis, usually in a 
short time by some fever, pain, and tenderness in the 
parts. The ligaments are stretched or lacerated, and 
nothing can relieve but immediate replacement by the 
fingers, or a suitable instrument, and reclining for 
some days upon a sofa or bed, also great care for 
several weeks about such exertion as would be likely 
to reproduce the trouble. A large majority thus 
afflicted do not consult a pl^sician. The nature of 
!he case is not recognized, and I fear too often when 
they do the doctor is too timid or careless to afford 
the necessary relief. In many cases the ligaments 
recover their tone and partly rectify the trouble, and 



128 woman's monitor. 



An Illustrative Case. 



it is not until the accumulated ills of years are upon 
her that the lady begins to realize the serious charac- 
ter of the injury she had suffered. In many cases 
the poor creature is doomed to a life of suffering, 
ever after a neglected accident of this kind. I now 
have under my care a girl of twenty-two years, of 
excellent build, and originally of sound constitution, 
the daughter of a farmer. At the age of sixteen 
years, during a menstrual period, she assisted her 
father to remove a box from a wagon and put it on 
a wood-rack. In lifting the box over the wheel she 
felt something give way in her bowels, and suffered 
severely from pain in the back and pelvis, with fever 
and tenderness about the abdomen for some days; 
since which the menses are irregular, leucorrhcea pro- 
fuse, nervous system disturbed, she rests badly at night, 
has a weak back, and pain in the side. These symp- 
toms, varying in intensity, have harassed her ever 
since the partial •recovery from the more immediate 
effect of the accident. At length unable to perforin her 
part of the household duty, her mother brought her 
to town for treatment. I found the womb small and 
flabby, strongly adhering to the rectum by adhesive 
bands, caused by inflammation. Its position was 
across the floor of the pelvis, the top lying to the 
left side. I introduced a small glass speculum, and 
with some difficulty brought the neck of the womb 
„o view — it was quite open from relaxation, and dis- 



DISPLACEMENTS OF THE WOMB. 12$ 

Course of Treatment Adopted. 

charging large quantities of glary mucus. The ad- 
hesions rendered it impossible to correct the disloca- 
tion. &. course of astringents with an ointment 
syringe to the cavity and neck of the womb, with 
daily injections to the vagina of tepid water, relieved 
the leucorrhcea, and tonics and a course of bathing 
improved the general health, but a cure is impossi- 
ble. A young life is blighted and rendered miserable 
because she had no idea of the nature of her injury, 
and hence did not know what to do for relief, and, 
unfortunately for her, the limited capacity of the vil- 
lage physician who was called to her aid, or his care- 
lessness, did not permit him to secure a correct idea 
of her case. I relate this one case at length as an 
example, not because similar cases are uncommon, but 
because it illustrates the character of the cases fre- 
quently occurring in the routine of practice. Severe 
and sudden symptoms only mark sudden dislocations, 
but partial or complete displacements in countless 
multitudes are about us on every hand, produced by 
too early rising after confinement, or miscarriage, and 
by the slow T er encroachments of such diseases as we 
have already described, causing relaxation of the va- 
gina and uterine ligaments, thus permitting of dis- 
placements, or by unequal development of the Avomb, 
under some process of morbid growth by which it is 
thrown out of balance and gradually inclined to some 
abnormal position. The variety of displacements most 



130 woman's monitor. 



Causes of Prolapsus of the Womb. 



common are prolapsus, (falling down;) anteversion, 
(tipping forward;) and retroversion, (tipping back- 
ward.) These have each some peculiarities worth 
noting. 

PROLAPSUS. 

The cause of prolapsus, when occurring as a sudden 
dislocation, has already been considered, also hints as 
to other causes that might produce it, as relaxation, and 
hypertrophy of parts, causing increase of weight. It 
will be apparent that any cause that will increase the 
weight of the womb will produce prolapsus. Hence 
all kinds of tumors about the womb or its appendages, 
as well as hypertrophy from congestion or inflamma- 
tion, may produce prolapsus, as also may straining 
efforts at stool, or any violent exercise of the ab- 
dominal muscles. It is also often produced by con- 
stipation of the bowels and the pernicious habit of 
tight lacing, also by the weight of clothes resting on 
the abdomen, which should be supported by shoulder- 
straps. The symptoms are a sense of dragging and 
weight in the pelvis, irritation of the bladder, pain in 
the back and loins, inability to lift weights, unusual 
fatigue from walking, leucorrhcea, and oftentimes ex- 
cessive menstruation. 

Treatment. — Replace the womb by causing the pa- 
tient to kneel on a hard lounge or table, resting upon 
the elbows ; the bladder and rectum being empty, the 



PROLAPSUS. 131 



Treatment for Prolapsus of the Womb. 



womb, if not adhering to surrounding parts, by adhe- 
sions from inflammation, may readily be replaced by 
two fingers well oiled and introduced into the vagina. 
To prevent its return remove the weight of clothing 
by skirt-supporters, the weight of the bowels in bad 
cases by abdominal supporters, and by prohibiting 
the wearing of tight clothing. Do not allow much 
accumulation of urine, and regulate the bowels by a 
course of careful diet. A course of tonic treatment 
should be pursued to improve the general health. 
Let all accessible tumors be removed and leucorrhcea 
cured by appropriate treatment, whether they be 
vaginal or uterine. Remain much of the time in a 
recumbent posture and avoid heavy lifting and long 
walks. Do not take long journeys by carriage or 
railway, and avoid the sewing-machine. The use 
of a properly adjusted stem pessary, or such other 
variety as the physician may suggest, is often a very 
efficient auxiliary to other treatment. We have 
promptly cured cases continuing from relaxation of 
parts, after the leucorrhcea and other accompanying 
troubles were cured, by brushing the neck of the 
womb and vaginal surface once in from three to ten 
days with collodion. It smarts for a few moments, 
when a decided sense of relief is obtained. The va- 
gina, regaining its proper tone, contracts, forming a 
supporting column beneath the uterus, which is thus 
kept in its proper position. 



132 woman's monitor. 



Cause and Cure of Anteversion. 



ANTEVERSION. 

Inclination of the womb forward upon the bladder 
is very common. Its slightest shades of inclination 
are of no consequence, but when seriously displaced 
it gives rise to distress from pressure upon the blad- 
der, such as frequent desire to urinate, inability to 
retain the urine long when in the erect position, and 
when the uterus is much enlarged. There is also 
trouble in evacuating the bowels, from pressure of the 
neck upon the rectum. It may also produce painful 
menstruation and sterility. The same causes that 
lead to prolapsus may produce the displacement re- 
ferred to. Constipation of the bowels will be more 
likely to produce this disease than prolapsus if the 
vagina is in good tone. The earlier Aveeks of preg- 
nancy are apt to be burdened with prolapsus or ante- 
version. 

Treatment. — Avoid every possible source of irrita- 
tion by following the directions given when speaking 
of prolapsus, constipation, leucorrhoea, etc. These 
should be cured if possible. Also, all complications 
which may be perpetuating causes. Reclining on the 
back and allowing the bladder to become quite full 
may be useful. The physician will replace the womb 
if badly reclined, and in some rare cases employ a 
pessary and abdominal supporter to advantage, but 



RETROVERSION. 



Causes and Treatment of Retroversion of the Womb. 



the cure is usually best effected by removing the dis- 
ease that caused it. 

RETROVERSION 

is tipping of the womb backward, so that the fundus 
rests on the bowel, and, in many cases, naturally ob- 
structs the passage of fecal matter, especially if the 
bowels are allowed to become constipated. It is 
caused by the same influences that produce the forms 
of displacement already named, to which might have 
been added rupture of the perineum, carelessness af- 
ter childbirth, and unusual retention of urine — three 
causes of displacement that are more likely to pro- 
duce this variety than ante version, the latter some- 
times determining whether the case shall be prolap- 
sus or retroversion. Tumors and inequality of devel- 
opment under hypertrophical influence may also have 
their effect. 

Treatment. — The womb should be replaced by the 
dextrous use of the fingers, or Sim's uterine reposi- 
tor, and retained in place by a properly adjusted 
pessary. In some cases the abdominal supporter may 
be applied to assist in supporting the weight of the 
bowels. The bladder should be kept empty by fre- 
quent urinating, and the patient directed to lie upon 
the abdomen as often and as long as is convenient. 



134 woman's monitor. 



Sudden Displacements sometimes Readily Restored. 



OTHER DISPLACEMENTS. 

Various grades and directions of flexion of the 
womb exist — a form of displacement in which the 
womb is bent upon itself. These may occur of vari- 
ous degrees and in varied direction, own the same 
parentage, and are amenable to similar treatment with 
the forms of displacement already described except 
they are not benefited by the use of pessaries to the 
same degree, only the intra-uterine variety of pessary 
being useful, and this a source of no little danger. It 
must be remembered that displacement may often oc- 
cur suddenly and be readily restored, but flexions oc- 
cur slowly. The texture of the womb being changed, 
a perfect cure may never be attainable, though the 
accompanying disease and inconvenience may often 
be removed. 

PROLAPSUS OF THE VAGINA. 

Great relaxation of the vaginal walls may allow the 
posterior wall of the birth-passage to come down, 
bringing the anterior part of the rectum, and form a 
protruding mass at or even beyond the vulva. So 
the anterior vaginal wall may prolapse, bringing the 
bladder with it, sometimes to such an extent as to 
form a large tumor projecting from the vulva. The 
cause is usually difficult and protracted labor, or want 
of careful management in child-bed, straining at stool, 



VAGINAL FISTULA. 135 



Proper Treatment for Vaginal Fistula. 



constipated bowels, pelvic tumors, or the presence of 
stone in the bladder, and leucorrhcea. 

Treatment. — Remove all known sources of disease, 
as piles, tumors, and gravel, and all curable diseases 
that may act as a perpetuating cause. Surgeons have 
devised some instruments for relieving and operations 
for curing such cases, which may be resorted to in 
desperate cases. A physician should be consulted on 
the first appearance of so grave a trouble. 

VAGINAL FISTULA. 

It sometimes happens that the bladder or bowel 
becomes connected with the vagina by the process of 
ulceration in malignant disease, so that the urine or 
fecal matter find their way into the birth-passage. 
These cases are generally incurable, and the remainder 
of a wretched existence must be made more tolerable 
by careful attention to cleanliness, and by frequent in- 
jections of tepid water. There are cases, and not a 
few of these forms of fistula, caused by the careless 
use of obstetrical instruments and pessaries, also by 
gravel ulcerating through, or the pressure of the child 
in tedious confinement. As soon as the nature of the 
accident is discovered, a surgeon should be consulted, 
scrupulous cleanliness should be observed, and every 
source of irritation to surrounding parts prevented as 
much as possible. As soon as the general health will 
permit the surgeon will close the wound by paring the 



136 woman's monitor. 



The Ovaria subject to Inflammations, etc. 



edges, and uniting by some kind of stitches. A com- 
plete cure may be thus effected. 

OVARIAN DISEASE. 

You will remember that the ovaria are two glandular 
bodies situated at either side of the uterus, and whose 
office is to produce the ovum or egg, Avhich is, in 
health, thrown off every twenty-eight days, from the 
period of puberty until the change of life, except 
during the period of maternity and nursing, and with 
many women during the entire nursing period. Al- 
though such are often apparently in excellent health, 
we regard it as an evidence of over-activity of the 
sexual function, and are never surprised to see such 
become the subjects of ovarian or uterine disease. 
The ovaria are subject to inflammations, both chronic 
and acute, sometimes resulting in abscess; also, to a 
variety of tumors, of which the development of nu- 
merous cysts in clusters, and containing some form of 
liquid, are the most common. The ovaria are some- 
times lacking altogether from birth, and are often im- 
perfectly developed. They may waste away as a 
result of inflammation, or become unnaturally large 
from prolonged congestion or a low grade of inflam- 
mation. 

Inflammation is very common as a result of child- 
birth and abortion, and may be caused by disturbed 
menstruation from cold, by the extension of inflam 



CHRONIC OVARITIS. 137 



Symptoms, Treatment, etc., of Ovarian Inflammation. 



mation from other parts, especially that form that re- 
sults from purulent poison. The symptoms are chills, 
fever, and pain in the lower part of the abdomen or 
the side affected, and tenderness on pressure. It of- 
ten terminates in suppuration, the pus being dis- 
charged either through the walls of the abdomen, or 
through the rectum, bladder, or vagina. The treat- 
ment one can adopt for themselves is the same as 
for other inflammations about the pelvis already de- 
scribed. All such severe symptoms should at once 
be brought to the notice of the family physician. 

CHRONIC OVARITIS. 

A fixed pain low down in the abdomen, but to one 
side of the median line, especially if no uterine disease 
is known to exist, and if increased at the menstrual 
period, and the parts are tender on pressure, should 
excite fears of chronic inflammation of the ovaria, a 
trouble that is very likely to result in abscess under bad 
treatment, especially in those who are careless of health 
or depraved in habits, and the more certainly so if af- 
flicted with scrofula, syphilis, or like constitutional 
taint, or strongly predisposed to any such- affection. 
Persons suspecting a tendency to ovarian trouble 
should keep off of their feet as much as possible, es- 
pecially about the menstrual period, avoid all sexual 
irritation, live temperately, and remove every compli- 
cation as speedily as possible which would be likely 

12 



138 woman's monitor. 



Treatment for Chronic Inflammation of the Ovaria. 



to assist in developing and perpetuating disease. 
When it is evident from the severe chill, fever, pain, 
and throbbing that an abscess is forming, the physician 
will direct warm poultices, warm vaginal injections, 
and as soon as fluctuation is distinctly perceptible 
the matter should be evacuated with a bistoury or 
trocar, and the surgeon will then carefully wash out 
the cavity daily with a weak solution of carbolic acid, 
crude pyroligneous acid, or permanganate of potassa, 
with a suitable apparatus, the patient keeping clean by 
the frequent use of the syringe with warm water. A 
liberal diet of toast and tea, fruits and animal jelly, 
stewed mutton or beef, and eggs should be enjoined, 
and a liberal allowance of wine, not some miserable, 
sour, home-made stuff, vile enough to make a well 
person sick, such as I frequently find persons taking 
in the rural districts, but the best port, malaga, 
sherry, or like wines found at the most respectable 
dealers. 

PELVIC ABSCESS. . 

"What I have said with reference to the ovarian ab- 
scess, applies to all forms of pelvic abscess with equal 
force as to the symptoms, for they are such as to re- 
quire an expert to tell the difference, and the general 
management is the same. 



OVARIAN TUMORS. 139 

Signs and Treatment of Ovarian Tumors. 

OVARIAN TUMORS. 

These are, on their first appearance, sometimes con- 
founded with pregnancy, and with fibrous enlargement 
of the womb. They are either fluid, solid, or a mix- 
ture of the two. They may assume a great variety 
of forms, and are liable to contract adhesions to the 
surrounding parts. The cysts that develop in the 
fluid variety of ovarian tumors sometimes attain an 
enormous size. I have myself tapped one of these 
containing twenty-two pounds of a clear liquid. In 
some cases the fluid is brown, red, or like coffee 
grouaids. Very little is known as to their cause. 
The predisposing causes generally admitted are men- 
strual diseases, the scrofulous tendency, and some 
say child-bearing age. It appears that the period 
most subject to attack is that of the greatest ovarian 
activity. I have several times found it to co-exist 
with cancer in other parts, and also, apparently, as a 
substitute for that disease in persons belonging to 
families predisposed to cancer in the form of carci- 
noma. A dull pain low down in the abdomen, to one 
side of the median line, with a sense of fullness and 
throbbing, dragging pain in the pelvis, irritability of 
the bladder, disturbance of the. lower part of the 
bowels, especially if attended with less soreness than 
should accompany chronic inflammation or a swelling 
in the vagina, should excite fears of ovarian tumors. 



140 woman's monitor. 



Tapping — Surgical Operations. 



These troubles are sometimes confounded by the ig- 
norant with rupture or hernia. The treatment is sur- 
gical, and any serious suspicion of trouble of this kind 
should secure the counsel of a physician. In cases 
where large cysts have formed, constituting the en- 
cysted variety of dropsy, as also in abdominal dropsy, 
the question often arises, Shall the patient be tapped? 
It is certain that tapping is not without some danger, 
and that alone it very seldom effects a cure, but it se- 
cures comfort by preventing pressure from injuring 
important organs, and thus diminishes danger of com- 
plication, and hence should be as early and as fre- 
quently resorted to as the necessity of the case may 
require. In twenty years' observation we have never 
seen any serious trouble from tapping any kind of ab- 
dominal dropsy. 

As to operations for the removal of ovarian tumors, 
we think it must ever remain an operation fraught 
with great danger to life, and that the danger in- 
creases every day with the progress of the disease 
from increased nervous and vascular connections and 
adhesions. So make up your mind, if afflicted in this 
way, to at once demand the assistance of the sur- 
geon's art by some of the methods usually employed, 
or to trust to nature to the end. It must not be for- 
gotten, however, that these tumors sometimes attain a 
considerable size, and then remain stationary for many 
years. 



-^ 



LEUCORRH(EA. 141 



Leucorrhoea but a Symptom or Consequence of other Diseases. 

LEUCORRHCEA 

is a discharge of mucus and pus, sometimes both, from 
the mucous surface of the vagina, or the lining mem- 
brane of the neck or canal through the neck of the 
womb, or from the lining membrane of the uterine 
cavity. It is discharged from the surfaces under the 
influence of disease, and is an evidence of inflam- 
mation, either chronic or acute, or of abrasion or 
ulceration of some part of those surfaces. The dis- 
charge, if copious, is very prostrating; if very thin 
and watery, it probably is from the surface of the 
birth-passage; if tough and thick, from the neck of 
the womb, or its canal; if mingled with blood, it is 
from the uterine cavity; if with pus, there is likely 
ulceration. In some cases quite a quantity of blood 
is discharged from the villi of the vagina. 

From what I have here stated, and the teachings 
of preceding chapters, it is quite evident that leucor- 
rhoea is but a symptom or consequence of other dis- 
eases, and that a cure can only be expected by remov- 
ing the disease, displacement, or irritation, upon which 
the discharge depends. Let tumors be removed, dis- 
placements corrected, the bowels regulated, sexual 
excesses refrained from, and the discharge held in 
check, if thin and watery, by injecting, two or three 
times daily, one of the following solutions : 

Sulphate zinc. 30 grains. 

Soft water 1 pint. Mix 



142 woman's monitor. 



Treatment for Leucorrhcea. Misunderstanding among Married People. 

Or, twenty grains of tannic acid, thirty grains of sul- 
phate of copper — blue vitriol — or twenty grains of 
ammoniated iron alum ; may be substituted for the 
zinc. Injections of soft water, used cold in the inter- 
vals of menstruation, are at times of service in giving 
tone and relieving the relaxation of the vagina, so 
common in cases of long standing. But great care is 
necessary lest injurious congestion should accompany 
the reaction after the application of cold. Nine- 
tenths of the cases of leucorrhcea are but the conse- 
quence of the disease, requiring either medical or 
surgical aid, and should be promptly subjected to the 
counsel of the family physician. 

GONORRHOEA. 

We would not salute ears polite with the word at 
the head of this article were we not convinced that 
this form of venereal disease is the source of much 
misunderstanding among married people, and also a 
cause of many cases of divorce, through a want of 
accurate knowledge of its characteristics. No physi- 
cian of extensive experience but can call to mind many 
cases where it required great judgment and skill to give 
such a decision as would be just to all parties. Gon- 
orrhoea, or clap, is an inflammation of the mucous 
surface of the urethra in the male, and of the ure- 
thra, labia, vagina, and uterus, or one or more of the 
parts alluded to, in • the female. It is a grade of 



GONORRHOEA. . 143 



Symptoms and Sources of Gonorrhoea. 



inflammation that results in copious secretion of pus 
from the parts, and the title above should only apply 
to the disease which results from infection from one 
similarly afflicted. But the s} r mptoms are the same, 
no matter how the grade of inflammation is produced, 
that causes purulent secretion ; it will infect the eyes, 
producing a severe form of purulent ophthalmy, or the 
mucous surfaces of a. person brought in contact with 
the matter, and produce a similar disease. Not all 
who are exposed to a venereal gonorrhoea are afflicted, 
and a large per cent, of those exposed to sources of 
contagion having an honest origin escape, but there 
is abundant evidence that all do not. The reason for 
treating on this subject will be apparent at least to 
all who have in the spirit of philosophic inquiry en- 
deavored to make themselves acquainted with the' 
facts. Every community is startled from its pro- 
priety now and then by some man supposed to be 
an honest Christian gentleman, under some pretext 
leaving his wife, with whom he has lived in domes- 
tic tranquillity for many years. The family physi- 
cian in such cases is often aware that the cause was 
jealousy, because he believed he had contracted from 
his wife a gonorrhoea, or clap. If the physician did 
not believe in any source of contagion but unclean 
coitis, he probably charges the party with incon- 
stancy. Knowing they are innocent, they are left to 
draw but one conclusion, that their partner is incon- 



144 woman's monitor. 



Serious Misunderstanding between Man and Wife when botli are Innocent. 

stant. It has been my privilege frequently to bring 
back joy to a hearth-stone desolated by such misun- 
derstanding. But the evil does not always stop here. 
The husband may have much regard for his children, 
and a true and trusting love for his wife. He does 
not wish to wrong her. Harassed with doubts and 
fears, he thinks to conceal his own disease in hopes 
to learn by careful observation what grounds for sus- 
picion exist. But the wife, who is not aware that 
any thing unusual is the matter with her, having 
discovered the husband's diseased condition, feels 
sure he has been inconstant, possibly separates from 
him, sues for a divorce, and thus brings upon the 
family disgrace and ruin, or they live through weary 
years of crimination and recrimination, only pre- 
vented from separating by the children — a mutual 
pride — not wishing to bring on them public disgrace. 
If we can heal one such broken heart, reunite one 
divided family, bring peace and joy to one hearth- 
stone by this article, we shall be amply repaid for 
our labor. That these cases are certainly quite com- 
mon in the bosom of the Church and in every walk 
of life, both high and low, I know from twenty 
years' intercourse with society as a physician and 
from conversation with many of my professional 
brothers. We say, then, that the presence of dis- 
ease having all the characteristics of gonorrhoea is 
not even presumptive evidence of guilt; that every 



GONORRHOEA. 145 



Gonorrhoea not necessarily Presumptive Evidence of Guilt. 



test, even microscopic examination of the pus, affords 
but an uncertain guide, as inflammation originating 
in other causes may produce a disease, with every 
symptom of the infectious trouble, and that the pus 
from the disease thus produced will infect another 
party, and thus a genuine clap, in the family of a 
truly virtuous man and woman, from disease caused 
by local irritation, cold, or other variety of sick- 
ness. Look, then, to the general character, to the 
usual walk and conversation, for corroborating evi- 
dence before you put the mark of your displeasure 
upon one who may be the innocent victim of disease. 
I purpose to make a few quotations from standard 
authority to substantiate this view. On pages 182 
and 183, of "Sargent's Addition of Druett's Modern 
Surgery," read : Inflammation and purulent dis- 
charge from the urethra may be produced by other 
causes, some of which have no connection with sexual 
matters. A discharge resembling gonorrhoea may be 
caused by local irritation. Urethritis, with discharge, 
may be produced by various disorders of the consti- 
tution. It has been a symptom of rheumatism, and 
not unfrequently precedes gout. It may be caused 
by sympathy with irritation in other parts. It may 
be occasioned by piles. A discharge is liable to occur 
in persons afflicted with stricture. Discharges are occa- 
sionally produced by medicines, as guaiacum and Cay- 
enne pepper. A man may contract a pretty severe dis- 

l 



14 G woman's monitor. 



Various Causes of Gonorrhoea among Virtuous People. 



charge from a woman who is perfectly chaste, and has 
not been previously infected by a third party. Thus the 
menstrual flux is capable of causing urethritis, with 
violent scalding and cordee, and followed by swelled 
testacies. A considerable degree of irritation may be 
produced by the vaginal secretion just previous to 
menstruation. Similar consequences sometimes en- 
sue, if the female be afflicted with leucorrhcea, or any 
other discharge of any sort whatever. 

The question next follows whether there is any 
means of distinguishing the simple gonorrhoea, that is, 
a discharge that does not arise from sexual connection, 
or which a man contracts from some accidental malady 
in a clean, chaste woman, from a venereal gonorrhoea 
or clap caught from an infected prostitute. The an- 
swer is decidedly not. However produced, the dis- 
ease of the urethra is the same in its nature, the same 
in its symptoms, and requires the same treatment. 
Bumstead, in his pathology and treatment of venereal 
diseases, says there are other means of origin for gon- 
orrhoea than by unclean coitus. He says he is abso- 
lutely certain that gonorrhoea in the male may proceed 
from intercourse with a woman with whom coitus has 
for months or even years been practiced with safety, 
and this, too, without any perceptible change in the 
condition of her genital organs on the most minute 
examination with the speculum. He asserts that in- 
tercourse with a woman about the period of menstru- 



GONORRHOEA. 147 



Other Causes Enumerated. Gonorrhoea not Hereditary. 

ation may give rise to gonorrhoea in the male, and 
that the views he advocates are by no means novel, 
but are entertained by many of the most eminent 
French specialists. (See Bumstead, pages 64 to 72, 
and 178 and 179.) That the disease may be con- 
tracted in privies and beds by accidental contact with 
fresh matter left by a diseased person is also quite 
certain. This was well known to the ancient He- 
brews — read the fifteenth chapter of Leviticus. That 
it may originate from coitus with a woman who has 
uterine catarrh, is taught by Cullerier, the celebrated 
surgeon who succeeded Ricord, at Paris, who says, in 
his illustrated syphilis, "All practitioners, especially 
those at the head of large hospitals, have observed 
gonorrhoea as a consequence of connection with a 
woman afflicted with uterine catarrh, or a discharge 
caused by simple ulceration of the neck of the uterus, 
or even leucorrhcea, especially when it occurs at the 
time of the menses." Those desiring further informa- 
tion may consult the first chapter of the work above 
referred to. We might multiply these quotations in- 
definitely, but deem these sufficient, and will only add 
that syphilis is a specific disease that must not be 
confounded with the one above referred to. While 
gonorrhoea does not contaminate the blood and hence 
become hereditary, syphilis does. This disease has a 
vast interest to the honest and honorable portion of 
the community for the following reasons : it is capa- 



148 woman's monitor. 



Syphilis Hereditary. Innocent People may Contract it. 

ble of inoculation from drinking cups, hands, surgical 
or dental instruments, the brush or razor of the bar- 
ber, flesh brushes, and towels, etc., and by the blood 
that frequently is dried with the vaccine scale, and 
introduced in vaccination, by the imperfectly cleansed 
lance in phlebotomy, a species of surgery practiced 
in the rural districts quite extensively by the non- 
professional, and we have great reason to fear that 
the profession are not always sufficiently careful. 
This terrible judgment of God upon licentiousness is 
often communicated to innocent and unsuspecting 
young women by kissing at parties or in private com- 
pany. A small sore is found on the lip, and ere long 
are developed sore throat, eruptions upon the skin, 
disease of the joints or bones, or some other manifesta- 
tion of this terrible malady. Besides, the lady thus 
accidentally afflicted, even if all the worst symptoms 
have been cured, will stamp the impress of her con- 
stitutional infirmity upon her offspring — a terrible 
taint that will cling to her posterity from generation 
to generation. Be very careful, then, how you asso- 
ciate with fast young men, how you frequent the re- 
cesses of hotels. Look carefully to the habits and 
health of your domestics ; if they have running sores, 
diseased joints, offensive catarrhs, or a general bad 
reputation, secure a careful examination to ascertain 
the facts, and if of syphilitic origin expunge them 
from your household as you would a deadly plague 



GONORRH(EA. 149 



Look to the Health ot your Domestics. Accidental Contamination. 

or loathsome leprosy. Ofttimes, in my professional 
rounds, have I refused to eat at the table of intimate 
friends because I had reason to suspect the servant in 
the kitchen was a victim of secondary syphilis, and 
in repeated instances have known them to be nursing 
an open chancre. Do not suppose this danger is con- 
fined to our large cities; especially since our great 
civil war it is prevalent in every village, and an intru- 
der in almost every neighborhood all over the land. 
It is bad enough when poor, frail humanity, crushed 
beneath the ponderous weight of sin, reeks and fes- 
ters with this loathsome disease as the legitimate fruit 
of transgression of the moral law, but when we see 
the loathsome, copper-colored blotches, and the scabby 
sores, the incurable catarrhs, or gradually decaying 
bones in those whom we have reason to believe are 
the innocent victims of the duplicity and treachery 
of one who should have been ever zealous to protect 
their honor and their health, we are filled with horror 
that is only equaled by the sympathy due to the in- 
nocent victim of accidentally acquired disease. Al- 
though it is probable that the number who suffer from 
accidental cause are few in comparison to the number 
who are infected through sinful intercourse, yet we 
are convinced that the cases of accidental contagion 
are sufficiently numerous to call for the caution we 
have given. We have given but few of the symptoms 
and shall say but little of the treatment of this pro- 



150 woman's monitor. 

Hysteria is more Alarming than Dangerous. 

tean malady, our design being simply to call attention 
to a few sources of danger, hoping thus to be instru- 
mental in staying, in some measure, this tide of dis- 
ease and death. 

HYSTERIA. 

This form of disease is more alarming than danger- 
ous. We often find it in its most fruitful forms in 
young women of full habit and. robust constitution. 
It is connected with some deranged or morbid condi- 
tion of the reproductive function, and may be excited 
into action by a variety of causes, as by high living, 
sedentary habits, excitement of the venereal sense, 
want of sleep, excessive fatigue, disordered digestion, 
obstinate constipation, and sudden mental shocks, as 
joy, fear, and grief. The nervous temperament is 
most subject to it, and those who are single or wid- 
ows more so than the married. It is sometimes 
caused by excessive discharges and exhausting dis- 
eases, but usually by disease of the womb. Hyster- 
ical females are usually subject to flatulency, dyspep- 
tic symptoms, and palpitation of the heart. Some 
have ringing in the ears, confusion of mind, numbness 
in the limbs, a feeling as if insects were creeping on 
the top of the head, pain below the left breast, diffi- 
culty of breathing, and a sense of choking, as if a 
ball was in the throat. In many cases, especially 
about the menstrual period, such are attacked with 



EPILEPTIC CONVULSIONS. 15 1 

Symptoms and Treatment of Hysteria. 

severe convulsions, very frightful to behold, accom- 
panied with violent contortions of the body. In many 
cases the body is rigidly bent backward, forming an 
arch. This may continue for some time, and be suc- 
ceeded by violent jerkings, or the whole muscular 
system may be thrown into violent spasms, requiring 
attention from bystanders to prevent the patient from 
being thrown out of bed. The attack leaves one sore 
and exhausted. 

Treatment. — Remove all irregularity and pain at 
the menstrual period, by securing a cure of the dis- 
ease of the womb, which keeps up the irritation. If 
tenderness is discovered along the spine, let cups or 
leeches be applied; regulate costive bowels by appro- 
priate means, as directed when speaking of constipa- 
tion; reduce fullness of habit by cathartics, cupping, 
n low diet, and scarification of the uterine neck; re- 
move debility by tonics, a liberal diet, and wine, and 
give relief at the paroxysm by subcutaneous injec- 
tions of morphia, or by full doses of it by the mouth. 

EPILEPTIC CONVULSIONS. 

Females are subject to epileptic convulsions from a 
great variety of causes. Those cases originating in 
disease of the spine and brain, and so frequently as- 
suming the epileptic form, do not require much atten- 
tion here. Many of them are incurable, and such as 



152 woman's monitor. 



Treatment of Epileptic Convulsions. 



are curable depend upon some sympathetic disease of 
the brain. If organic changes have occurred in the 
structure of the brain or its appendages, it is proba- 
ble the case is incurable ; if not, benefit may be de- 
rived from perseverance in correct habits of life, and 
regulating every organic function. If scrofula is 
present, or is hereditary in the family, the following 
formula will sometimes effect a cure : 

R Iodide of potassium 3U. 

Compound sirup of stillingia ...Oss. 

Mix. Dose, one tea-spoonful three times daily. This 
should be continued for several months. 

In cases where great nervous excitability exists, equal 
parts of the fluid extract of skull-cap and fluid extract 
of valerian, given in tea-spoonful doses, are excellent. 
In cases accompanied with great nervous excitement, 
menstrual irritation, or sexual irritability and restless- 
ness at night, from twenty to forty grains of bromide 
of potassium may be given every four to six hours, 
until relief is obtained. Heavy doses usually pro- 
duce drowsiness. The bromide may be dissolved in 
water. Twenty grains three times daily, for some 
months, has cured some very bad cases of epilepsy, 
in my hands. A like success has attained the use of 
this formula: 

# Hydrocyanate of iron grains, 20 

Pulverized root of valerian " _ 30 

Mix. Make thirty powders, and give one three times 
daily. 



DISEASE OF THE BREASTS. 153 

Other Formulas. Defective Breasts. 

It is particularly adapted to the treatment of those 
who are debilitated and have a pale, sallow counte- 
nance. Valerian, camphor, musk, or other antispas- 
modics may be useful. Chloroform by inhalation is 
ofttimes invaluable, as the relaxation it produces per- 
mits the womb to throw off a retained clot, which by 
its presence was keeping up irritation. 

DISEASE OF THE BREASTS. 

Milk abscess and such troubles as are incidental to 
the period of maternity and nursing, will be treated 
of in another chapter. A few general remarks here 
on other affections of the breast may not be amiss. 
One or both breasts may be absent from birth, or but 
a rudimentary development may exist. This defi- 
ciency appears to be hereditary in certain families, 
and is coincident with defective development of some 
part of the sexual apparatus or of the entire body. 
,It may be caused by some constitutional malady, as 
scrofula or chlorosis. We possess no means of over- 
coming rudimentary development of the mammary 
gland. Cases are cited in the annals of science 
where a number of nipples have existed on the fe- 
male chest. Those supernumerary organs also have 
been found in the arm-pits, and upon the thighs and 
abdomen. Such malformations are rare in this coun- 
try, but are said to be common in the Antilles. They 
are only injurious to beauty. Atrophy of the gland 



154 woman's monitor. 



Diseased Breasts. 



occurs usually at the change of life, but may appear 
at any age from inflammation, injury, or as a sequel 
of some form of uterine disease, and is a common 
consequence of the protracted use of the prepara- 
tions of iodine, but when so produced is not always 
permanent. When from the latter cause, friction 
with salt and water, or some slightly stimulating 
lotion, may be useful by calling more blood to the 
part, and thus tend to promote development. Hy- 
pertrophy is an unusual enlargement of the breast, and 
frequently affects both organs. The excess of size 
is mostly due to deposits of fat, but in some cases 
the gland appears to be unusually vascular, its vessels 
and tubes dilated, and the breast enlarges rapidly. 
Hypertrophy is rarely a result of inflammation, but 
is usually preceded or accompanied by some disease 
of the uterus or ovaries. 

Treatment. — Careful attention to the treatment of 
all disease of the pelvic organs — a persistent and 
steady course of iodine in some soluble shape, as 
iodide of potassium, iodide of starch, or iodide of 
lime. To the enlarged gland, ointments of iodide of 
potassium or mercurial ointment, and the systematic 
use of adhesive plaster bandage so applied as to 
keep up gentle pressure. Neuralgia of the breast, 
known by the intermitting character of the pain, 
which is sharp and lancinating, is usually met with in 
young females, especially those who are chlorotic and 



TUMORS AND CANCERS OF THE BREASTS. 155 

Treatment. 

hysterical. It is sometimes accompanied or alternated 
with neuralgia in other parts. 

For this, tonics, as tincture of iron, elixir of Peru- 
vian bark, or small doses of Fowler's solution of ar- 
senic, may be used. A belladonna plaster to breast, 
or a little chloroform on the hand or on a piece of 
cloth covered with oiled silk, so applied as to prevent 
evaporation, until the parts are quite red, will bring 
relief. This is an excellent application for pain any- 
where. 

TUMORS AND CANCERS OF THE BREAST. 

Tumors of the breast are encysted, fibrous, bony, 
cartilaginous, or cancerous — the latter occurring in sev- 
eral varieties. Without doubt the breast is the most 
frequent seat of cancer. It is most often met with 
between the fortieth and fiftieth years. Though the 
breast is first attacked, few die until other parts have 
become implicated in the cancerous affection. Women 
of dark complexion are more prone to the disease than 
blondes. Cancer of the breast or of the uterus is more 
common in the city than in the country. Most authors 
agree in placing depressing emotions among the ex- 
citing causes. It is apt to develop in a part that 
has been injured by abscess. Pressure, blows, and 
benign tumors in this part may assume a malignant 
nature. 

The first appearance of cancer is a small tumor, 



156 woman's monitor. 



Causes of Tumors in the Breast. 



which gradually develops, loses its regular outline, 
and becomes incorporated with surrounding parts, 
losing its clearly defined limits. It becomes painful, 
especially about the period of the courses. It ap- 
proaches the surface, pushes up the skin, and forms a 
tumor without discoloration. At length the skin be- 
comes a livid red, and adheres to the morbid growth. 
The cutaneous veins become enlarged, the nipple de- 
pressed. Lancinating pains now traverse the breast in 
every direction; bluish spots then appear on the tu-' 
mor; ulcers form, from which ooze a bloody fluid. 
These deepen and enlarge, and when once established 
extend without ceasing. The patient emaciates rap- 
idly, and may die in two or three months from the 
first appearance of the tumor, or the fatal result may 
be delayed for many years. Sometimes the disease 
progresses so slowly that it does not shorten life, and 
in very rare cases the parts are attacked with gan- 
grene, the tumor sloughs off, and a veritable cure is 
effected. The microscope should be brought to the 
assistance of the physician to increase the certainty 
of his knowledge as to the nature of the case. Scan- 
zoni, a celebrated German author on the diseases of 
women, says he is persuaded that a correct diagnosis 
of mammary tumors, if not yet ulcerated, is only 
certain on anatomical examination. Cancer may be 
confounded with induration from inflammation and 
hypertrophy of some of the glandular lobes. Cancer 



TUMORS AND CANCERS OF THE BREAST. 157 



The " Indian Botanic Cancer Plaster." 



destroys young women much more rapidly than the 
elderly. 

Treatment. — Tumors of the breast usually cause 
great uneasiness of mind on the part of the patient 
lest they should become cancerous, and for that rea- 
son, although doing but little if any injury, they 
should be removed. Extirpation is the least painful 
and most certain method of getting rid of such 
growths. After cancers have extensively incorporated 
surrounding parts or affected the glands of the arm- 
pit, removal will avail nothing. Among the caustics 
that have been used only a few are worthy of a trial 
at the hands of the surgeon. The most reliable are 
solidified nitric acid, chlorid of zinc, arsenic, and the 
hot iron. The choice of these must be left to the 
surgeon, who will select to suit the case. All the 
celebrated cancer plasters, vaunted by cancer doctors, 
contain one of these agents, usually arsenic. 

About sixteen years ago a quack cancer doctor was 
advertising his wares as the Indian botanic cancer 
plaster. With this he removed many morbid growths. 
A medical friend of mine secured an analysis of the 
remedy, and -it proved to be the hydrated peroxide 
of iron, arsenic, and lead, equal parts. I have exam 
ined a number of these celebrated botanic cancer rem- 
edies since that time, and they all contain arsenic as 
a dominant element. There is much danger of arsenic 
poisoning from their use, but probably less when the 



158 woman's monitor. 



Trust not to Plasters, but Resort to the Knife. 



hyd rated peroxide of iron is combined with the ar- 
senic, as this is its antidote. Careful observation has 
taught me that all medicine and even excision is quite 
uncertain. After the case has made considerable 
progress no treatment Avill succeed, but excision is, 
no doubt, the most hopeful method. Trust not to 
plasters of any kind. If the case is not too far ad- 
vanced have the very surroundings of the disease 
removed with the knife. This is the quickest, most 
certain, and least painful method, and though often 
followed by fatal results at no distant period from re- 
turn of the disease, it sometimes succeeds in effecting 
a cure, and that is more than can be said of any other 
known remedy; but to succeed, it must be resorted to 
early, before surrounding parts are too much impli- 
cated ; after that it is useless to operate. You may 
then keep the parts clean, washing with solutions of 
carbolic acid or permanganate of potassa — any drug- 
gist can prepare it — and take morphia to relieve pain, 
and patiently wait the inevitable result. In cases 
where the only chance of success is embraced by early 
operation, for a long time after, take alteratives, as 
tea-spoonful doses of compound sirup of stillingia with 
from one-half to one ounce of iodide of potassium to 
the pint, or three to five drops three or four times 
daily of Fowler's solution of arsenic. The last is 
very useful as a tonic. The solidified nitric acid and 
the hot iron may have effected cures. I should, as a 



METHODS OF EXAMINATION. 159 



A Surgical Operation less Painful than the use of Caustics. 



rule, rather trust the arsenic formula above given than 
any other plaster with which I am acquainted for re- 
moving tumors and other morbid growths from any 
part of the body. But all such agents are more dan- 
gerous and less certain than a surgical operation, and 
they are more painful. If the operation is done un- 
der chloroform, the wound from the knife is not so 
painful as the w T ound from caustic, and the action of 
the caustic is too slow to admit of chloroform during 
the entire period of its application, except in the case 
of the white hot iron. The surgical w T ound heals 
more kindly, and is not so likely to be followed by a 
return of the disease. I believe the inflammation set 
up by the caustic enlarges the capillary vessels, and 
allows the cancer cells to stray away from the point 
of their origin, thus scattering the disease. Those 
attending upon cancer patients should be very careful 
about bringing abraded surfaces in contact with the 
matter, as I have no doubt but it may be communi- 
cated by infection or inoculation. I have not space 
to detail the experiments and arguments which have 
led many of our best pathologists to that conclusion. 

METHODS OF EXAMINATION. 

It is a matter of no little importance that women 
should have correct ideas of the methods of examin- 
ation which it is necessary to pursue in order to have 
accurate knowledge of the nature of disease. So 



160 woman's monitor. 

Importance of Knowledge in Detecting Quackery. 

much medical quackery and assuming pretensions are 
abroad in the land that it is difficult for the people to 
tell, when they are counseling a physician, whether 
the opinion they receive is worthy of credence or not. 
We propose to make a few remarks on this subject, 
and give some explanation of the nature of the exam- 
inations and treatment required in serious disease of 
the uterine system, and some other troubles. 

In diseases of the lungs, after a careful analysis of 
the hereditary tendencies and past history of the pa- 
tient, the present condition of every vital organ should 
be carefully inquired into, the chest examined in a 
quiet place, where the sounds elicited by listening to 
the breathing and by percussing the chest may not be 
interfered with by outside sounds. The room should 
be warm enough to prevent the patient from becoming 
chilled when the garments are all removed from the 
neck to the waist, except .a soft, unstarched muslin 
wrapper, that as little obstruction to the sound of the 
heart and lungs may be in the way as possible. Every 
part of the chest should then be carefully explored 
by the ear or some form of stethoscope; none of these 
are so certain, however, as the direct application of 
the ear. All examinations of the chest without fall 
compliance with the above requisitions are uncer- 
tain or positively useless. The expectorated matter 
should be repeatedly examined by chemical tests, and 



METHODS OF EXAMINATION. 161 

How to Detect Bladder and Kidney Diseases. 

with the microscope, to determine as to the presence 
of tubercle, pus, or blood. 

Disease of the kidneys, in addition to the careful an- 
alysis of the case as to its general symptoms, requires 
repeated and careful examination of the urine by the 
most careful application of chemical re-agents and re- 
peated microscopic observation of the deposits. With- 
out this precaution all opinions are but shrewd guess- 
ing, and whether by men of high or low degree, 
unworthy of confidence — as every scientific physician 
knows full well that it is impossible to arrive at con- 
clusions to be relied upon in any other manner at 
present known to the profession. 

In diseases of the bladder, in addition to the careful 
examination of the urine by the methods above in- 
dicated, it is necessary to examine the bladder by 
pressure above the pubis, also through the vagina, 
and to do this in a proper manner the patient should 
lie down upon a bed or sofa with the limbs drawn 
up so as to relax the muscles of the abdomen. If 
the presence of gravel is suspected the general 
symptoms will direct as to the necessity of the use 
of the sound, which, if thought necessaiy, should 
be warmed, well oiled, passed under the sheet, which 
should always completely envelop the patient, and be 
passed through the urethra into the bladder and the 
stone carefully searched for. 

A failure on the first examination should not be 

14 



162 woman's monitor. 

A 



LpZS 



How to detect Stone in the Bladder, etc. 



taken as conclusive evidence that no gravel exists 
The position should be changed and another and an- 
other effort made until it becomes quite certain no 
stone is present. These efforts should not be too 
long continued nor too frequently repeated, as serious 
inflammation of the bladder may result. The urine 
should be retained before these efforts with the sound. 
If the bladder is found empty warm water should be 
injected, to keep it on the stretch, thus securing more 
certainty in hitting the gravel with the instrument. 
Gravel in the female is less common than in the male, 
because the urethra is so much shorter, and more 
easily dilated, permitting them to pass while small, 
and few gravel are found in women that may not be 
removed by dilating the urethra without the use of 
the knife. 

In disease of the liver and spleen careful examination 
of the sides is necessary to ascertain whether there 
are tumors or enlargement of those organs. Disease 
of the ovary may usually be detected by the symp- 
toms mentioned in a preceding chapter, but the pres- 
ence of tumors can only be detected by pressure over 
the lower part of the abdomen, and frequently it is 
necessary to place the patient on the back, limbs well 
drawn up, then with the finger in the vagina, passed 
well up to the right or left of the neck of the womb, 
as you may wish to examine the left or right ovary, 
and the fingers of the other hand passed firmly down 



METHODS OF EXAMINATION. 163 

How Examinations should be Conducted. 

over the lower part of the abdomen. The presence 
of enlargement of the ovary or tumors in this situa- 
tion may be readily detected and their character ac- 
curately defined, especially if the patient is thin. 
The same method of examination here detailed is 
often an efficient means of detecting enlargement of 
the womb, as the organ can be freely balanced between 
the finger in the vagina and the hand above the 
pubis. The womb may be examined with the finger 
in this manner, as to displacements, enlargements, 
tumors, and hypertrophy of the lower part or neck. 
But the speculum becomes necessary to reveal the 
color and condition of the vaginal surface, the pres- 
ence of eruptive affections, or ulcers on the mucous 
membrane of the vagina or neck of the womb, and 
the character of the discharge which issues from the 
canal leading to the cavity of the womb. Litmus 
paper and the microscope may be employed to give 
more accurate account of the nature of the discharges, 
and then the speculum and the uterine sound may be 
employed to ascertain the depth of the uterine cav- 
ity and the presence of foreign bodies, as polypoid 
and fibrous tumors. Great care should be observed 
to ascertain beyond a reasonable doubt that the 
woman is not pregnant, lest you cause abortion by 
the use of the sound, an accident which, we are told by 
the best authors, has at times happened in their hands. 
When it is necessary to carry ointments into or to 



164 woman's monitor. 



Further Information as to Making Examinations. 



remove tumors from the womb, the neck may be so 
closely contracted as to require dilating. This is ac- 
complished by passing a small sponge or sea-tangle tent 
into the canal leading to the womb, through a specu- 
lum, and allowing it to remain, until by absorbing 
moisture it expands, when it may be removed and a 
larger one applied. During and for some days after 
this process the lady must keep her room and avoid 
much exercise, or serious inflammation may occur. 

THE SPECULUM 

consists of a metallic or glass tube or metallic blades, 
so arranged as to be introduced and then separated so 
as to bring the diseased parts to view, and are in 
endless variety, to suit the different cases that arise, 
or the judgment or caprice of the surgeon. Such a 
selection should be made as could be introduced with- 
out pain. The patient should lie on the left side or 
on the back, limbs drawn up, and be covered by a 
sheet; the instrument, carefully selected to suit the 
position of the womb — as previously ascertained by 
examination — should be warmed, well oiled, passed un- 
der the sheet, and carefully introduced into the vagina. 
The sheet is then so tucked around the instrument 
as to avoid all exposure, except the surfaces to be 
examined, which can be seen through the aperture in 
the speculum, and through which the applications to 
the diseased parts may be safely made. 



CAUSES OF DISEASE AMONG WOMEN. 165 



Causes of Disease among Females. 



CAUSES OF DISEASE AMONG WOMEN. 

It is our purpose in this chapter to speak of some 
of the most prominent causes that lead to physical 
decay of females in this country. These are predis- 
posing and exciting. Among the predisposing causes 
we may mention the influence of certain habits on 
the part of the mother, as lacing, excesses in eating, 
sexual frauds, and connubial excesses; also the in- 
fluence of physical and mental depression upon the 
mother during maternity and nursing. Among the 
exciting causes climatic influence, improper dress in 
childhood, want of care about the period of puberty, 
self-abuse, fast living, excessive physical and mental 
labor, depressing passions, sexual frauds, and connu- 
bial excesses may be mentioned ; also narcotic stimu- 
lants, rapid child-bearing, long nursing, want of care 
at the period of confinement, and miscarriage. 

TIGHT LACING. 

Many mothers ruin the health of their future off- 
spring while in the womb by an effort to disguise as 
far as possible the fact of pregnancy, the better to 
enable them to run the giddy round of fashionable 
dissipation, or from false modesty, desiring to pre- 
vent, as long as possible, a knowledge of their condi- 
tion becoming known to their associates. Lacing- 
strings are brought to bear upon the abdomen, 



166 woman's monitor. 



Dangers from Tight Lacing. From Excess in Eating. 

retarding its increase of size, thus preventing the 
developing uterus from arising out of the pelvis, caus- 
ing excessive pressure upon the bladder and rectum, 
and injuring the uterus to such an extent as fre- 
quently to cause abortion. When it is no longer pos- 
sible to confine the womb in the pelvis, the same 
means used even moderately prevent healthy devel- 
opment on the part of the womb, increasing the dan- 
gers of child-bed, by predisposing to inflammation, 
also assisting to produce cramp in the limbs and en- 
larged veins about the lower extremities, by forcing 
the uterus against the veins and nerves at the lower 
part of the abdomen, and what is more to our pres- 
ent purpose, insures feeble and diseased offspring, thus 
becoming a predisposing cause of disease to the suc- 
ceeding generation and an exciting cause of numerous 
maladies to the mother. 

EXCESS IN EATING 

is no uncommon source of disease among women dur- 
ing maternity, and a predisposing cause of feeble con- 
stitutions, weak stomachs, and disease of the bowels 
among children; nay, more — of such maladies in 
riper years. Many mothers are fond of indulging 
every whim of appetite under the guise of longings 
that should be gratified for fear of injuring the foetus, 
and thus abandon discretion and good judgment as 
to the quantity and quality of food. The result is 



EXCESS IN EATING. 167 

Bad Habits of the Parent Fastened upon the Child. 

that the stomach, which is usually vigorous during 
maternity, and should be supplied with abundance of 
healthy food, becomes feeble from overwork; flatu- 
lency, heartburn, and other symptoms of indigestion 
appear, which speak plainly of a state of the. stom- 
ach corrupting to the blood, depressing to the nervous 
power, and hence certain to enfeeble the infant in 
mind and body. Its organic tissues, formed out of 
blood containing imperfectly assimilated material, must 
of necessity be wanting in that perfection of struct- 
ure so essential to health and longevity. It is im- 
possible for a woman suffering from indigestion to pre- 
serve that equanimity of temper and disposition so 
essential to impress like qualities upon her child; and 
we shall see, when we come to treat of hereditary 
transmission, that feeble, diseased organs of the 
parent, by some mysterious law of the economy, 
are likely to be entailed upon the children. The 
mother who gratifies her appetite for improper articles 
of food or indulges in excess of eating and drinking 
during maternity, not only injures herself, but stamps 
her disease and likewise her habits of indulgence upon 
her offspring — an act of cruelty to the helpless, un- 
born creature that should bring remorse of conscience 
to the guilty parent. Of one thing we are certain, 
such indulgence very frequently brings trouble to 
parents, from sickly children, also heart-breaking sor- 
row, when called upon to part with them, though thev 



16S WOMAN S MONITOR. 



Parents Guilty of Sexual Frauds not h* for Procreation. 



may not always know when the seed was sown that 
ripened into bitter fruit. 

SEXUAL FRAUDS AND CONNUBIAL EXCESSES 

will be treated of more fully as exciting causes of 
disease; but every one who reflects upon the subject 
must admit that the diseased condition of both par- 
ents, caused by these flagrant violations of the laws 
of life, produce debility and disease on the part of 
parents that must descend in a multiplied ratio to 
their children. The father enfeebled by sexual fraud 
or connubial excess is unfit to assume the responsi- 
bility of procreation, and the womb diseased by the 
same cause must be an unfit receptacle for the living 
germ that is, in fullness of time, to become a think- 
ing, acting, rational creature. Will not the disease 
by which it is surrounded become a part of its or- 
ganic being, interwoven into the warp and woof of 
every tissue, thus predisposing to certain mental and 
physical changes in after life, and through the in- 
fluence of a diseased body upon the mind, leading to 
intellectual and moral deformity, that must cling to 
the unfortunate being through ceaseless ages. 

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEPRESSION 

may be predisposing causes of disease, not only to 
the mother, who is more liable to become the victim 
of disease while the power of resistance is enfeebled 



PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEPRESSION. 169 



The Temper of the Mother Transmitted to the Child 



by debility from mental depression, but also to the 
child during maternity and nursing. Just as the dis- 
ease or weakness of a single organ may be stamped 
upon the child, so the general debility or depressed 
mentality of the mother may, nay, most certainly will- 
be transmitted as an inheritance to her child. 

Children procreated during debility from disease or 
mental depression, from loss of friends or other cause, 
will be likely to be feeble in body, or give evidence 
of similar depression of mind to that suffered by the 
parent; more especially will this be true if the causes 
continue to operate during maternity. The remedy 
is to desist from procreation until the circumstances 
are favorable to health of mind and body in the off- 
spring. 

You will readily discover that the causes of dis- 
ease and premature death among American women 
are not all due to their own violations of the laws of 
health, but often to certain predisposing causes in- 
herent in their physical organization. But those 
sparks of disease, which lie smoldering in the body, 
are too often fanned into a consuming flame by fla- 
grant violations of Nature's organic laws ; sometimes 
through ignorance, but too often these sins are against 
light and knowledge. 

Sexual frauds and connubial excesses, as we will 
endeavor to show when speaking of the exciting 
causes of disease, are a fruitful source of nervous de- 

15 



"170 WOMAN S MONITOR. 



Effects of Connubial Excesses on Parents and Offspring. 



bility, dyspepsia, consumption, epilepsy, disease of 
the prostate gland, and kindred affections among 
males, and of leucorrhoea, uterine displacements, dis- 
ease of the ovaries, and inflammation of the uterus 
among women. And as the offspring must inherit 
a tendency to these constitutional and local diseases 
of the patient, it is evident that frauds and excesses 
of the kind alluded to are predisposing causes of dis- 
ease in the child, Avhen practiced by the parent, as 
well as an exciting cause of disease, when indulged 
in by persons of mature years. If healthy persons 
may develop disease by such excesses, how much 
more certainly will the individual who has inherited 
a predisposition to such maladies as are thus pro- 
duced ! Physical and mental depression during ma- 
ternity, whether produced by sickness, misfortune, 
domestic strife, poverty, or other cause, by their en- 
feebling influence upon the mother, stamp their im- 
press upon the offspring, diminishing its power to 
resist endemic and epidemic influences; thus rendering 
it more liable to such diseases as may prevail, and 
more likely to perish when disease assails ; also more 
difficult to cure when afflicted with chronic disease. 
Its feeble vitality does not enable it to withstand 
physical and mental shocks so well as the mind and 
body of the child born of healthy parents, and whose 
mother's mental and bodily powers were at the healthy 
standard during maternity. If parents desire to avoid 



EXCITING CAUSES OF DISEASE. 171 

Climatic Influences as Exciting and Predisposing Causes of Disease. 

sorrow and disappointment in declining years, they 
must obey Nature's inexorable requirements as to the 
laws of transmission of qualities, or the consequence 
of their own weakness and folly will be apparent in 
the feeble bodies, weak intellects, and moral delin- 
quency of their children. 

EXCITING CAUSES OF DISEASE. 

Climatic influence is potent, both as a predisposing 
and an exciting cause o£ many maladies which afflict 
both sexes. Imperfect drainage and damp air, by 
keeping the body bathed in a moist atmosphere, re- 
tards perspiration, vitiates the secretion of the kid- 
neys and liver, thus laying the foundation of disease 
of those organs, and producing rheumatism or other 
serious disease. Sudden and frequent changes of 
temperature disturb the equilibrium of the physiolog- 
ical powers, and lead to internal congestions and in- 
flammations, or to catarrhal affections of the throat, 
or bronchi, which too often become the exciting cause 
of more serious disease of the respiratory organs, end- 
ing in consumption and death. 

Our observation has led us to believe that malarial 
districts, where ague and chill fevers prevail, are 
proper places for tuberculous patients to reside, and 
that those afflicted with throat and lung diseases often 
get better, and that even incurable disease of the 
lungs is sometimes retarded for many years by resi- 



172 woman's monitor. 



The Circulation of the Blood Through the Liver. 



dence in such locality — the force of the diseased 
actions falling principally upon the abdominal or- 
gans, producing diseases of the liver, spleen, pancreas, 
and digestive system, and thus diverting morbid ac- 
tion from the respiratory system. 

But for the same reason that such climate is good 
for the consumptive invalid, it is very bad for those 
who by temperament or predisposition are prone to 
diseases of the digestive system, kidneys, or sexual 
organs. This will be apparent to those whose knowl- 
edge of anatomy enables them to understand the 
portal circulation. By the portal circulation is meant 
the side circulation through the liver. The blood 
sent out by the arteries of the bowels, instead of be- 
ing collected by the veins and sent back to the heart 
direct, after permeating the capillaries of all the or- 
gans in the abdomen except the kidneys, bladder, 
and, in the female, the reproductive system, is col- 
lected into one large vessel, called the portal vein, 
which passes into the liver, dividing into minute 
branches, reaches the heart, after passing through 
the capillaries of the portal circulation in the liver, 
where important changes occur in the nature of the 
blood, at the same time that the bile is separated 
from it. You will perceive that by this arrangement 
all the blood from the digestive system is passed 
through the liver before reaching the heart, and 



EXCITING CAUSES OF DISEASE. 173 

Malarial Districts. 

hence the state of the circulation through the ab- 
dominal viscera is in no small degree subject to the 
condition of the liver. Congestion, or any cause that 
retards the circulation through the capillaries of the 
liver, must of necessity produce congestion, and tend 
to cause inflammation in the abdominal viscera. 

It is for this reason that we find inflammation, both 
chronic and acute, of the liver, stomach, spleen, and 
bowels, more common in malarial countries; and it 
must be confessed that scrofulous and tuberculous 
degeneration of the liver, spleen, and glandular struct- 
ure of the mesentery and mesocolon, are more com- 
mon in districts where miasmatic diseases prevail. 
The same may be said in reference to chronic dys- 
entery, chronic inflammation, and ulceration of the 
rectum, and the several varieties of piles. 

But we have elsewhere shown that piles, and dis- 
eases of the rectum, tend to produce disease of the 
uterus and ovaries, through that sympathy which 
nervous relation secures between parts. It is also 
certain that congestion of the abdominal viscera, 
during malarial fevers, often produces abortion, and 
thus frequently lays the foundation for chronic dis- 
ease of the uterus and its appendages. At all events 
it is sure that uterine displacements, with chronic in- 
flammations and their consequences, are more preva- 
lent in malarial than in non-malarial districts. 



174 woman's monitor. 



Low-Necked Dresses, Short Sleeves, and Bare Legs. 



IMPROPER DRESS IN CHILDHOOD 

has been referred to as a cause of disease. None 
doubt the frequent development of lung fever, bron- 
chitis, croup, and similar diseases, from the too prev- 
alent fashion of dressing children with low-necked 
dresses and short sleeves. But it may not be so ap- 
parent to the non-professional mind that a large per 
cent, of those who escape the severe diseases which 
threaten life in childhood, lay the foundation during 
youth for laryngitis, bronchitis, and consumption, in 
after years, and that many young girls, even in in- 
fancy, suffer from inflammatory affections of the mu- 
cous surface of the labia, vagina, and bladder, often 
associated with copious mucous, or muco-purulent dis- 
charges, caused by taking cold from the frail and 
dainty manner in which their limbs are dressed. Do 
not forget, fond mother, that every grade of disease, 
whether mild or severe, produced by such causes in 
early life, is likely to leave a weakness that predis- 
poses to similar affections in after years, and that 
women who expose the feet and limbs insufficiently 
clothed, are likely to suffer from rheumatism of the 
uterus, suppressed menstruation, and inflammatory 
affections of the pelvic organs. 

SELF-ABUSE. 
I have alluded to the want of care so frequently 
manifest on the part of those in charge of young girls 



SELF-ABUSE. 175 



Self-Abuse. Apology for Treatment of the Subject. 

at the trying period of puberty, a Rubicon on life's 
rugged way which so many of our daughters fail to pass 
unscathed. I then noticed a few of the many causes 
that lay the foundation of bad health at puberty, and 
a number of the mental and moral dangers that beset 
the youthful maiden at this period of her pilgrimage. 
A fear that I should offend the fastidious possibly de- 
terred me from speaking as plainly on some subjects 
as the necessity of the case required; and since the 
article on secret vies was written I have been urged 
by several intelligent physicians and a number of emi- 
nent divines to speak more plainly on the subject of 
self-abuse. Many will say this was useless — nay, 
. that it may be positively injurious. But who that 
has thought deeply upon the subject will commit so 
grave an error? Certainly not the man or woman 
who has sought for evidence by consulting the reports 
of our houses for correction and our lunatic asylums; 
not those who have consulted physicians upon the 
subject who are engaged in an extensive practice; 
not those who have questioned postmasters as to the 
number of letters passing through the mails to those 
miserable medical mountebanks who fatten by preying 
upon the credulity of tens of thousands of both male 
and female, w 7 ho have realized the debasing effect 
upon mind and body of this source of wretchedness 
and disease, although the number really injured is not 
so great as some writers would have us believe. No 



176 woman's monitor. 

Do not Hesitate to Instruct your Children on these Delicate Subjects. 

man versed in physiognomy can go abroad in the 
land without marking here and there the haggard 
lines of the countenance disfigured by this vice. He 
sees them in the shops, upon the street, and in the 
public assembly, and knows that their name is legion ; 
that the debasing literature of the day is accessible 
to all who will read, and that thousands revel in ex- 
citing romance and tales of love and amours who 
would blush to have their parents know they read 
such trash. We have reason also to fear that Chris- 
tian parents are not so careful as duty demands in the 
selection of reading for their children. They permit 
them to grow up too much by chance, trusting their 
moral and religious training to the Church and the 
Sabbath-school, as they do their intellectual develop- 
ment to the schools and colleges, and when they have 
furnished the means to defray expenses appear to 
think they have discharged their whole duty. Moth- 
ers, blush not to talk to your daughters upon these 
subjects. Let your warning voice be heard before 
purity is gone and health is broken . Permit them not 
to go forth to encounter life's fearful perils unarmed 
and unshielded by the panoply of truth. We have 
no patience with that sickly sentiment which teaches 
that ignorance is the highest order of innocence. 
Therefore put forth the proper effort to prevent that 
which the skill of the physician may not cure, be- 
cause it is so often brought to his notice when too late. 



SELF- ABUSE. 177 



Reform Easy at First, but afterward more Difficult. 



One fact more. Every philosophic physician knows 
that the habits to which we allude are often indulged 
in to a certain extent in early life. When light by 
accident or design is thrown upon the pathway of 
the erring one, reform is immediate and recovery ap- 
parent. But in after years the poor victim to early 
indiscretion finds that unusual susceptibility to dis- 
ease exists. The uterus is irritable, menstruation pain- 
ful or irregular, spinal irritability exists, the stomach, 
heart, and brain sympathize, and the woman is su- 
premely miserable. Every gynecologist knows that 
such cases are hard to cure, because unnatural ex- 
citement at an early period has produced unusual de- 
velopment of the nerves and vessels of the ovaries 
and uterus; even the filaments of the spinal cord, 
which connect the sexual organs with the brain, are 
larger and more sensitive than normal, and thus these 
early indiscretions become a source of puerperal con- 
vulsions, insanity, and puerperal fever at the maternal 
period, as well as of a host of minor ills incidental to 
the non-maternal state. Mother, if your daughter be- 
comes listless, absent-minded, nervous, and unusually 
retiring, seeks solitude, and is disposed to retire to 
her room, and spends days and nights in reading ro- 
mance, and especially if her bowels are constipated, 
appetite capacious, is inclining to eat chalk, charcoal, 
clay, and like articles, with temper unusually irritable, 
with countenance haggard and care-worn; if she grows 



178 woman's monitor. 



Signs of Self- Abuse. Hot-house Plants. 

pale, sallow, and anaemic, is restless at night, and com- 
plains of giddiness and confused vision ; if the lips and 
eyelids are swollen, especially in the morning; if the 
skin is damp with cold, clammy perspiration, a symp- 
tom which is usually first clearly manifest in the 
hand, then you have grave reason to fear the slow 
but certain operation of the cause of disease, to which 
we have invited your attention. Some of these symp- 
toms may arise from other causes, but many of them 
grouped together should excite especial concern lest 
the mad-house or the grave may soon receive another 
victim. Under such circumstances do not consult 
some advertised quack, but consult an honest, capa- 
ble physician. 

FAST LIVING. 

Among the wealthy it is no uncommon thing for 
women to develop disease by too much indulgence in 
ease and luxury. The stomach is pampered with 
dainties or stimulated with wine, condiments, or med- 
icines to secure digestion, which should have been 
prompted by exercise in the open air, on foot or on 
horseback. These are veritable hot-house plants, 
whose cheeks require paint and enamel to secure a 
sickly semblance of those hues of health which should 
have been called forth by the fresh breezes of heaven 
and the glorious sunshine. Reclining all day on rich 
sofas in parlors carefully protected by heavy curtains 



FAST LIVING. 179 



The Women of Luxury and Fashion. 



from the encroachment of light and air, with no 
high purposes, no noble resolves, nothing present or 
prospective, but ease and luxury, their thin blood 
creeps lazily through their sluggish veins, no won- 
der time drags heavily its slow length along. No 
wonder when the time arrives to dress for the evening 
entertainment some narcotic stimulant is necessary 
to drive away the listlessness and ennui that over- 
shadow with their dark penumbra the luxurious life. 
The opera, theater, social party, or dancing-hall next 
taxes their feeble energies during the hours Nature 
designed as a season of repose. If a better state of 
morals prevail, the lecture-room or the church may 
for a few hours vary the monotony of the scene. But 
these are reached in close carriages, and require but 
little of that' muscular exertion so much needed to 
recuperate the failing vital powers. Wretchedly 
nervous, melancholy, and miserable, unless excited 
by some new sensation or strung to temporary ten- 
sion by opium or wine, what wonder if these vic- 
tims of fashion should be unfit to fulfill the high 
prerogatives of maternity, and should early fall vic- 
tims of disease ! Their feeble bodies can not sustain 
a healthy glow of vitality in their own bloodless 
frames, much less impart sound health and vital 
stamina to the offspring they too often assume the 
responsibility to usher into life. But kind Nature 
usually releases their children from the weakness and 



180 woman's monitor. 



Totally Unfit for Life's Duties. Excessive Exertion. 

disease they are forced to accept as the gift of mis- 
guided parents, their earthly tabernacles are dissolved 
and the immortal germs transplanted to a more ge- 
nial clime. The mother, usually the victim of fe- 
male weakness and disease from early life, produced 
and fostered by habits of indolence and ease, often 
falls a victim to the first maternal effort, or making an 
imperfect recovery, suffers on through a few brief 
years, and then succumbs to disease indirectly result- 
ing from erroneous habits of life. Thousands in our 
large towns and cities pursue just the course we 
have described, and with similar results, while multi- 
plied thousands follow as near as their circumstances 
will permit in this beaten track, which leads to dis- 
ease and death. 

EXCESSIVE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL LABOR 

may also be sources of disease. Stern necessity often 
prompts to hard work at critical periods, when women, 
by the laws of their being, are required to abstain 
from severe exertion. But much may be done by 
a wise forethought, even by those in indigent circum- 
stances, to so arrange their household duties as to 
avoid overwork at the period of menstruation, also 
during maternity, arid the three months succeeding 
confinement. Mental labor should be but moderately 
indulged in by females during menstruation and ma- 
ternity, as every energy of the physical frame is 



DEPRESSING PASSIONS NARCOTIC STIMULANTS. 181 

Depressing Passions. Narcotic Stimulants. 

necessary to cany on in a proper manner those im- 
portant functions. 

DEPRESSING PASSIONS, 

as anger, grief, and fear, are fruitful sources of dis- 
ease, especially of diseases peculiar to the female or- 
ganization. Almost every physician can point to 
cases of convulsions, insanity, or epilepsy, as well as 
floodings, suppressed or painful menstruation, and pre- 
mature labor from the shock caused by giving way to 
one of these emotions. That rapid child-bearing, long 
nursing, want of care at the period of confinement, and 
miscarriages are sources of disease that require the 
earnest attention of women and careful study on the 
part of physicians, will be admitted by all. These 
will receive attention in the chapter on the diseases 
and accidents incidental to maternity and nursing. 

NARCOTIC STIMULANTS, 

as an exciting cause of disease and death among Amer- 
ican women, hold no inconsiderable place. Opium and 
its preparations, tobacco, and alcohol are among the 
most potent of these agents. They are habitually 
used by many females to relieve the pains of some 
real or imaginary ills, or to secure that vivacity of 
thought and activity of muscle they have failed to 
acquire from proper diet and exercise. 

You will observe that I have not mentioned tea and 



182 woman's monitor. 



Excessive Use of Tea and Coffee. Tobacco. Its Use among Women 

coffee among the agents detrimental to health, though 
it must be admitted by every unprejudiced observer 
that a vast number of women are seriously injured by 
the excessive use of those agents. But the worst 
that is likely to result from their abuse is dyspepsia, 
nervous prostration, and such diseases as naturally 
arise out of those conditions. Their use does not 
develop an appetite that constantly urges to in- 
creased gratification by larger and larger portions. 
They stimulate and call out the activity of the nerv- 
ous functions, which ofttimes become feeble from over- 
work, but they do not benumb and stupefy the sys- 
tem, awakening fires that can not be quenched until 
body and soul are subject to the devouring flame. 

TOBACCO, 

in many sections of the United States, is used by 
women, young and old, and even by those laying 
claims to a high order of gentility ^ as a snuff rubbed 
on the teeth and gums. This is the most debasing 
and disgraceful manner of using the filthy weed. It 
is worse than chewing fine cut, because it ruins the 
teeth and gums, and renders the mouth so filthy and 
disgusting that persons of refined sensibility can 
scarcely tolerate the presence of one who rubs snuff. 
Many women, in both low and high life, are addicted 
to smoking. This vile habit vitiates the breath, and 
thus injures the lungs, benumbs and perverts the 



TOBACCO. 183 



Woman Smokers. 



sense of taste and smell, and, through its impressions 
upon the nervous system, injures the hearing and 
sight, as well as the intellect, and thus destroys ap- 
preciation of the finer sentiments and feelings of the 
mind, while it hurries to premature decay those facul- 
ties provided by a munificent Creator to enable us to 
receive impressions from the world about us. It is 
thus that the woman addicted to the use of tobacco, 
under whatever pretext she may cloak this crime 
against her higher nature, and the nobler attributes 
of her being, by this self-indulgence, is gradually, but 
surely, destroying her sense of taste, clouding with 
smoke the windows of her soul, and shutting her ears 
to the concord of sweet sounds ; thereby preparing 
her debased and impoverished nature, to sit down in 
darkness or dim twilight, with none of the senses 
capable of appreciating the beauties of surrounding 
nature. Although the air is redolent with odor of 
sweet flowers, and made vocal by songs of mirth and 
gladness, while gorgeous forms of beauty, decked in 
Nature's richest robes, are ever present to give pleas- 
ure to those with unperverted senses, they bring no 
joy to the dimmed eye, nor harmony to the deaf ear. 
The slow, but deadly influence of this potent narcotic 
reaches still deeper; permeating every avenue of life, 
it spreads its withering mildew upon all the functions 
of the animal economy, perverting absorption and 
secretion, interfering with healthy digestion, exciting 



184 woman's monitor. 

Fifty Thousand Women Opium Eaters in the United States. 

then stupefying and enfeebling the nerves, until pa- 
ralysis, or some other disease, makes an easy prey of 
the poor victim which tobacco has insnared. 

OPIUM. 

From the best sources of information upon which 
we can draw, we are forced to the conclusion that not 
less than fifty thousand women in the United States 
use opium, or some of its preparations, to such an ex- 
tent as to produce daily inebriation. Many of these 
are constant sufferers from uterine or other forms of 
neuralgia, and suppose they are under the necessity 
of taking morphia or opium to keep down the harass- 
ing pains of disease. It is possible in some cases, 
especially of uterine or other forms of cancer, that 
the use of some narcotic to allay pain is the best that 
can be done to smooth the pathway to the grave. 
But we fear where one uses it from necessity hun- 
dreds do so from habit. A toothache, neuralgia, or 
painful menstruation, was relieved by a dose of opium; 
the disease returned, the opium was again resorted 
to; at last a habit was fortned, the demon appetite 
aroused, an insatiable longing for the drug estab- 
lished, and thus the woman has become a slave to 
this deadly narcotic. Physicians are not sufficiently 
careful not to foster such appetites, and ladies do not 
manifest sufficient dread of the drug. 

Kind friend, have you a painful disease ? Except 



ALCOHOLIC STIMULANTS. 185 

Drunkenness Among Women. 

it be certainly incurable, and likely soon to prove 
fatal, seek skillful medical aid for its removal. If 
your physician resorts to opium to still the pain, and 
makes no further effort, be sure he is incompetent for 
the task he has undertaken. Discharge him at once, 
and seek more skillful advice. 

ALCOHOLIC STIMULANTS. 

Many women in aristocratic circles are addicted to 
wine; and this habit is not confined among them to 
the irreligious, but is indulged in by members of 
evangelical Churches, under the pretext that it is 
necessary as a medicine. I will not stop to moralize 
upon the condition of those degraded and depraved 
women who have so far forgotten the noble dignity 
of womanhood, and the delicacies of their sex, as to 
indulge an appetite for strong drink to the extent 
of habitual inebriation. That this withering blight 
has touched with its pestilential breath many of the 
fair daughters of this favored land is a fact too well 
known to require urging upon your attention. If 
bestiality and debauchery are hideous to behold in 
men, with how much more horror do we shrink from 
the spectacle when presented in woman, to whom we 
instinctively look for that gentleness and correct de- 
portment that should characterize the conduct of this 
last best gift of God to man, "made but a little lower 

than the angels !" 

1G 



186 woman's monitor. 



The Moderate Use of Alcoholic Stimulants by Women. 



Let us turn from the contemplation of woman as an 
inebriate to consider her as a victim of the moderate 
use of alcoholic stimulants, in which capacity she figures 
in every department of society, and in almost every 
relation of life. Exhausted by excessive labor and 
loss of sleep, in the ceaseless round of domestic duty, 
or debilitated by rapid child-bearing and nursing, in 
addition to the cares of a numerous family, what 
wonder if she should resort to stimulants to brace her 
shattered nerves, or attempt to kindle the waning 
vital fire with alcoholic potions! True, it would be 
much better to secure rest and gain strength by the 
digestion of wholesome food, and thus secure ex- 
emption from those diseases that so certainly result 
from compelling the exhausted body to labor under 
the goading of alcohol, which does not give strength 
to the feeble muscles and exhausted nerves, but only 
enables the poor woman to hold out a little longer in 
the unequal contest with labor beyond her strength. 

The same principle applies to those who are afflicted 
with leucorrhoea and other exhausting diseases, who 
too frequently resort to some of the advertised bitters 
as a remedy for the debility they find gradually di- 
minishing their ability to perform the duty devolving 
upon them. A temporary improvement often results. 
The increased energy of the system appears tem- 
porarily to have triumphed over the local disease, or 
the general debility; but too often this is but a de- 



ALCOHOLIC STIMULANTS. 187 

Effects of Stimulants. 

ceptive appearance. The bitters have not removed 
the cause, but has called out and used all the reserve 
forces of the system, and the potions must be in- 
creased from week to week to prevent the return 
of the symptoms with increased severity, for which 
they were first taken. 

The system once accustomed to such stimulus finds 
it difficult to carry forward its operations without it. 
An appetite for narcotic stimulus is thus engendered, 
which too often follows the unfortunate sufferer like 
an evil genius, refusing to be appeased until disease 
and death have destroyed the body, and forever 
marred the brightness and glory of the soul. It is 
true but a few of these sink to the depths of in- 
ebriety; and none, when first adopting these tonics, 
so called, anticipate such results. But it is none the 
less certain that a vast multitude of women are daily 
increasing the amount, or changing the character of 
the stimulant tonics or bitters with alcoholic base, 
while disease pursues its desolating career unchecked. 
We fear physicians, who should know better, too 
often pander to the tastes of their patients, or, with- 
out due consideration as to the ultimate consequences, 
prescribe wine or alcoholic bitters. The honor of our 
noble profession, no less than duty to humanity, de- 
mands more care on our part in regard to this matter. 

One thought more. What must be the conse- 
quences to the offspring where the mother is con 



188 woman's monitor. 



Effect on Offspring. Sexual Frauds, etc. 

stantly saturated with alcohol during maternity and 
nursing ? Will its organic tissues be sound ? Will 
its brain have that texture that will enable it to be 
an honor to society, a light to the Church, or a help 
to the nation? Science, in most emphatic tones, 
•answers no. Its elementary tissues will be formed 
out of imperfectly prepared and poisoned material, 
and hence not likely to maintain a vigorous condition 
of the physical powers. The mind will likely be 
weak or imbecile. It may be unusually precocious 
in early life, but will soon sink below the average; 
and, worse than all this, an insatiable thirst for stim- 
ulus will likely be implanted in the nature of the 
child, that may lead it to a drunkard's grave. 

SEXUAL FRAUDS AND CONNUBIAL EXCESSES 

occupy a conspicuous place among the sources of dis- 
eases of women. Until recently the reformatory 
journal, the pulpit, and the medical profession have 
remained comparatively silent upon those important 
subjects. Here and there a bold spirit has dared to 
speak out in terms not to be misunderstood ; but 
these, like . the kindred subject, criminal abortion, 
have been ignored by the great mass of those whose 
duty it is to watch over public health and morals. 

Among the few who have recently spoken out 
boldly upon these and similar subjects, Professor Ho- 
ratio R. Stover, of Boston, is deserving of especial 



SEXUAL FRAUDS AND CONNUBIAL EXCESSES. 189 

s * 

Small Families. 

notice. His excellent book, entitled, "Why Not?" 
should be read by every woman. It was published 
by direction of the American Medical Association — 
a conclusive proof that the regular profession in the 
United States are right upon these great questions. 
Although the book is designed especially to warn 
mothers, as to the physical and moral dangers of 
abortion, artificially induced, the Doctor has not failed 
to show that he is alive to the dangers of sexual 
frauds. The book can be procured by sending sixty 
cents to Lee & Shepard, publishers, Boston, Mass. 

They also publish, and will send by post, for fifty 
cents, a little book entitled "Serpents in the Dove's 
Nest," by Rev. John Todd, D. D. It consists of two 
articles. First, "Fashionable Murder." This pre- 
sents, in a forcible manner, the sinfulness of destroy- 
ing the foetus in the womb, as well as its danger 
to the health of the mother. The second article, 
entitled "The Cloud with a Dark Lining," discusses 
the causes which lead to small families among our 
native American women, and declares it to be, in 
addition to child-murder, an unwillingness to have 
children, and taking decided measures to prevent it. 
Those who are curious to read more extensively upon 
this subject, can procure, through James Campbell, 
publisher, Boston, by sending one dollar and fifty 
cents, the work of L. F. E. Bergeret, physician-in- 
chief of the Arbois Hospital, Jura, translated from 



190 woman's monitor. 



Conjugal Onanism, etc. 



the third French edition of P. De Marmon, M. D. 
The title of the book is, "The Preventive Obstacle, 
or Conjugal Onanism." It treats, as its title-page de- 
clares, of the dangers and inconveniences to the 
individual, to the family, and to society, of frauds 
in the accomplishment of the generative functions. 
We would also refer to " Satan in Society," pub- 
lished by C. F. Vent, Cincinnati. These books 
show conclusively that many serious diseases of 
women, arise from the practice of sexual frauds, 
to prevent offspring. Although a sensitive mind 
will be disgusted at many of the cases they detail, 
the authors appear to have been actuated by a deep 
sense of duty, and none who have been guilty of the 
practices of which they treat, but must turn from the 
perusal of the works deeply impressed with the hid- 
eousness of this crime against nature, which may 
have already destroyed their constitutions, or planted 
the germs of cancer or some other incurable disease. 
I have taken the privilege of referring to those books, 
hoping that this notice may assist to spread the knowl- 
edge and warnings they contain for the benefit of those 
most concerned. "I know it is unpopular to drag 
from their covert hoary-grown errors, or to speak to 
the public about vices which it is fashionable to ig- 
nore." And I think I hear some one say, How could 
he be so immodest? Kind reader, I could not be, 
did not the necessity of the case require. But we 



SEXUAL FRAUDS AND CONNUBIAL EXCESSES. 191 

" It is the Wounded Bird that Flutters." 

know from observation and reading, from converse 
with professional friends and the confession of scores 
of unhappy and diseased victims of this vice, that a 
great necessity exists for those who are in position to 
speak to the hearts and consciences of their fellow- 
men, to let the voice of warning be heard in no un- 
certain tones. There may be those so unfortunately 
organized that a large organ of modesty, joined to an 
immense fastidiousness, constitutes the sum total of 
their scanty brains. Such may accuse the author of 
immodesty. I would reply in the language of Dr. 
Todd, when writing upon this subject, "None will ac- 
cuse me of being immodest except those who commit 
the sin! It is the wounded bird that flutters. To 
the pure all things are pure. Those only will be 
shocked who do what I am to talk about, for many 
actually do things which they can not bear to hear 
mentioned. If there is indelicacy it is in the facts, 
not in calling attention to them. The fact is, all over 
the land families have few or no children. It has be- 
come fashionable for parents to be leading around a 
solitary, lonely child, possibly two, it being well un- 
derstood, talked about, and boasted of that they are 
to have no more. The means to prevent it are well 
understood — instrumentalities shamelessly sold and 
bought. Married people dare do this who would not 
dare go to a fashionable abortionist." Dr. Todd then 
goes on to say in substance, " that it is an agree- 



192 woman's monitor. 

Rev. Dr. Todd on Small Families. 

merit between husband and wife that they will not 
have children, and they think it no sin to do so. This 
fashion threatens to desolate our land and run our 
American families into non-existence. The colored 
women at the South, now free, but not knowing how 
to provide for their offspring, are playing the same 
game. There are few births among them at the pres- 
ent time. Why should they not do as their educated 
respectable white sisters do?" The same practice 
among the Indian squaws is assisting to hasten the 
extinction of the race. He says that " in nine cases 
out of ten where the family is almost childless woman 
is to blame. But where* is the harm? Whose busi- 
ness is it?" He answers the question. "It is a 
wrong done to yourself, dear woman. God has made 
no law that can be violated with' impunity. What 
makes these worthless wives so feeble, so puny, so 
scrawny, so out of health ? What makes the hus- 
band go into temptation and sin, or else become dys- 
peptic and nervous? What takes away the glorious 
sanctity of the marriage relation, and makes the in- 
stitution distrusted, and honors the man who lives in 
violation of the most solemn vows? It is impossible 
to violate the laws of God in the physical as in* the 
mora) world, and not suffer. The health suffers, 
disease comes in, and the being becomes unnaturally 
gnarled and unhappy. The suffering and sorrow 
among those who refuse to meet the laws of ma- 



SEXUAL FRAUDS AND CONNUBIAL EXCESSES. 193 

Violating the First Commandment of God given to the Race. 

ternity are vastly greater than among those who do." 
Again he says : " It is a wrong done to the family. 
It disappoints the husband. It makes way for the 
wife to be feeble, sickly, and unhappy, and probably 
to meet an early death. It brings shadows over the 
house, which might be full of sunbeams." Once 
more hear him; he says: "It is a wrong done to the 
Church of God. You are violating the first com- 
mandment of God given to the race, and the first 
after the Flood, and you scorn his wisdom when he 
says, 'Lo, children are an heritage from the Lord.' 
It is the design of God that his Church should be 
propagated, instructed, and fitted for his service in 
the family ; but if Christian families who were ap- 
pointed for this purpose, and who have the education 
and means, do not rear up sons and daughters for 
Christ, they imperil the deepest interest with which 
humanity comes in contact. Where are the strong 
working men, the hard workers in the vineyard of 
God, to come from if you, Christian husband and wife, 
feel that you may set aside the great plans of God's 
mercy? How is it that ye have agreed together to 
tempt the Spirit of the Lord ?" You sometimes hear 
people laugh at the large families of clergymen. Yc u 
see the reason why they are large. They have too 
much conscience to violate known laws of God. The 
great object of the marriage institution, the rich 
blessing left from Eden, is not that the husband may 

17 



194 woman's monitor. 



No Danger to be Apprehended from a Spread of Knowledge. 



live in legal fornication, and the wife in legal prosti- 
tution, but fulfill the first great command in the Bi- 
ble. 0, woman ! honored, loved, cherished, and up- 
held, while you meet the great responsibilities for 
which yj3u were created, can you be thrust down from 
the high and holy position of being a true and faith- 
ful mother, to be a toy, a pla}' thing, and something 
far lower than that? But I will cease to draw 
lightnings to scathe the transgressor from "The 
Cloud with a Dark Lining," for every syllable in 
the " Serpents in the Dove's Nest " is worthy the 
prayerful consideration of every lady. Read it, good 
Avoman, if not for your own benefit, that you may 
be better able to counsel those who may seek your 
advice. 

I now desire to direct your attention to some of the 
prevalent practices designed to prevent offspring, in 
order to show their baneful influence over the happiness 
and health of women. No fears need be entertained 
that this discussion will spread this vice by giving a 
knowledge of methods unknown to the masses. Are 
not our periodicals and newspapers tainted with adver- 
tisements of preventives and medicines that will re- 
move suppression from whatever cause produced ? 
of infallible female pills, " that must not be taken by 
those desiring offspring, as they will certainly prevent 
pregnancy," and similar catch-penny dodges of design- 
ing quacks, who intend by this means to insnare into 



MEANS OF PREVENTION. 195 

Vicious Information Abounds. 

the use of their vile nostrums those who wish to es- 
cape the responsibilities of married life ? Are not some 
of our religious journals, from carelessness or other- 
wise, guilty of giving publicity to the advertisements 
of books and tracts which pander in no small degree 
to this prevailing sin of the age ? The facts are that 
a knowledge of the means of preventing pregnancy, 
as well as of procuring abortion, are in possession of 
nearly every person who has arrived at maturity. 
Shall the medical and clerical professions then remain 
silent? Shall the religious press, which hurls its 
shafts at every other form of vice, continue to ig- 
nore the existence of this social canker, which is 
doing more to check the development of Protestant- 
ism among native Americans than any other cause 
now operating to deprive evangelical religion of strong 
arms and stout hearts. " The Catholic Church, ever 
watchful as to her own best interests, has not only 
provided for the education and religious training of 
her children, but to her honor and credit be it known, 
has cast the shield of ecclesiastical protection over 
unborn infants, and set the seal of condemnation upon 
the practice of conjugal frauds within her borders." 

MEANS OF PREVENTION. 

The means of preventing pregnancy among the 
wealthy usually differ somewhat from that pursued 
by the poorer classes. The sheath, or cundum, named 



196 woman's monitor. 



Condemnation of the Various Means of Prevention. 



after Dr. Cundum, by whom it was invented, is in 
very extensive use among married people, and also 
for purposes of illicit intercourse. Strange as it may 
appear to the uninitiated, they have an extensive sale 
in every city, village, and hamlet, in all civilized 
lands, and are regarded by professing Christians, en- 
gaged in honorable and respectable business, as legiti- 
mate objects of traffic. The use of these abominations 
is not only filthy, but as injurious to the male as mas- 
turbation, and to the female as self-abuse, from which, 
in fact, it only differs in degree, affording more ex- 
citement to the passions than masturbation. But it 
deprives its votaries of all true gratification in the 
conjugal act; besides, they are never safe, being liable 
at all times to rupture; and few physicians of exten- 
sive practice but can call to mind numerous cases of 
bastardy, where the unhappy victim has confessed 
that she had trusted to this unnatural and deceptive 
protection. Besides, it is certain to produce vaginal 
leucorrhoea, if not more serious disease of the gener- 
ative organs. 

Another means extensively used at one time, but 
it is hoped not so extensively at present, is the in- 
troduction of lint or sponge into the vagina, to be 
removed after intercourse. If we styled the cundum 
filthy, what shall we say of this iniquity ? The rough 
sponge, or other substitute, soon produces epithelial 
abrasion and excoriation of the vaginal mucous mem- 



MEANS OF PREVENTION. 197 

The Use of ihe Syringe. 

brane and of the neck of the womb. Inflammation, 
leucorrhoea, and prolapsus are the inevitable conse- 
quences ; besides, they are liable to be displaced, 
and hence are a very uncertain means of protection. 
The use of the syringe, immediately after congress, 
is probably the least injurious of all the means em- 
ployed to limit the number of offspring. But the 
cheap glass and pewter instruments in use by the larger 
number, who attempt in this manner to defeat the 
great design of the marital relation, are entirely use- 
less, because they fail to wash away the spermatic 
fluid. And where a better constructed instrument is 
used, if with cold water, it is liable to bring on ute- 
rine colic, or inflammation, from the chilling of the 
parts ; and, if warm water is used, by further inviting 
blood in that direction, and prolonging the period of 
congestion incidental to the act of congress, must pro- 
duce disease, if long indulged in, especially a relaxed 
and prolapsed vagina, and uterine displacement, with 
leucorrhoea. This means is also uncertain, as the sper- 
matic molecules may reach the uterus before the in- 
strument is used; may fail to be washed away, or 
may be thrown, in the conjugal act, through the open- 
ing of the neck into the womb, beyond the reach of 
harm from the fluid used as an injection. Thus it is 
plain that those who depend upon this means must 
often lean upon a broken reed. Yet with all its un- 
certainties, and power to produce disease and death, 



198 woman's monitor. 



All Preventive Methods Uncertain and Dangerous. 



this is probably the most certain and least injurious 
method yet devised to thwart the purposes of God in 
relation to the laws of reproduction. You will allow 
me in this connection to remark, that although means 
may be discovered that will prevent conception, it is 
as impossible as that God should be inconsistent with 
himself, that any means will ever be discovered that 
will not work disease and premature death to those 
who follow it. 

Many are misled by the idea that there is a time 
between the monthly periods when a woman can not 
conceive. It is true that for a few days, after the 
close of the second week following menstruation, 
women are free from the presence of a living ovum, 
and consequently can not conceive ; but it is equally 
true that there are many exceptions to this rule. In 
some women, and in certain conditions of health, the 
ovum is cast off in a very few days after menstru- 
ation ; but with other women it remains, sometimes 
until another ovum has ripened, or so near that period 
that the male principle may retain its vitality until 
the ovum has developed, and certain changes may 
cause these conditions to appear at periods not re- 
mote in the same individual. 

These considerations make it certain that this 
method of prevention is not to be relied upon; and 
husbands and wives should know that science teaches 
that where pregnancy accidentally occurs, undesigned 



CONJUGAL ONANISM. 199 

Will you Assume the Responsibility of Procreating by Accident? 

and undesired, at a period remote from menstru 
ation, the child developed from the germ enfeebled 
by long retention in the uterus, is not so likely to 
be sound in body and mind as it would be if con- 
ceived designed^ at Nature's best period. 

Kind friends, will you assume the responsibility 
of procreating by accident? If so, you may blush 
for shame, when feeble and diseased offspring present 
evidence of disregard of Nature's laws. We are also 
of the opinion that dangers of the after-birth being 
attached at or near the mouth of the womb is largely 
increased by conception after the second week from 
menstruation — an accident which always imperils the 
life of the mother. 

CONJUGAL ONANISM 

is the method of prevention which is most exten- 
sively practiced by married persons of the middle and 
poorer classes; but its baneful influence may be traced 
in every department of society — it consists in the im- 
perfect performance of the conjugal act. By this 
method the spermatic fluid is prevented from reach- 
ing the uterus. But the disease-producing tendency 
of this method upon the male is terrible indeed. The 
incomplete emission produces congestion of the sexual 
organs, especially of the vesicular seminales and pros- 
tate gland, and will, sooner or later, produce chronic 
inflammation and enlargement of the prostate gland. 



200 woman's monitor. 



Baleful Effects of Conjugal Onanism. 



We have also frequently found stricture of the ure- 
thra, enlargement of the veins of the scrotum, and 
chronic orchitis, resulting from this practice. But 
such -perversion of Nature's design is frequently vis- 
ited by more severe penalties, as paralysis, apoplexy, 
epilepsy, and insanity, in the male, and similar affec- 
tions in the female. Besides, she is subject to disease 
of the ovaries and uterus, especially uterine inflam- 
mation, and its consequent displacements, from this 
cause. 

We will not now stop to inquire into the causes 
that lead to those refinements of debauchery which 
some suppose to be confined to our large cities, but 
which Dr. Bergerett, with good reason, declares is 
extensively practiced by the country people. The 
history of Onan, as given in the thirty-eighth chapter 
and fifth and sixth verses of Genesis, finds its coun- 
terpart with too many families at the present day. 
Dr. Bergerett records the details of a large number 
of cases of acute inflammation of the womb, many of 
them resulting in death, from the practice of this 
vice. Also, a large number of cases of chronic in- 
flammation of the uterus and of its lining membrane, 
have been observed to result from incomplete coitus ; 
many of those attended with dangerous bleeding, or 
exhausting leucorrhoea. 

Science teaches that it is a fruitful source of fibrous 
tumors and polypi, also of uterine colic and neuralgia, 



CONJUGAL ONANISM. 201 

Frightful Diseases the Result of Conjugal Frauds. 

which are especially painful at the menstrual periods 
and about the change of life. Genesiac frauds often 
cause painful tumors of the breast, also congestion 
and neuralgia of the mammary glands in consequence 
of that sympathy which exists between the uterus 
and breasts. Dr. Bergerett, in his extensive expe- 
rience, does not recall a case of uterine cancer which 
was not preceded by sexual frauds; and he says, this 
cruel disease always kills the woman after a long 
series of the most painful tortures. " I have seen 
women still young, die thus at a time when it would 
seem their lives should have been exempt from such 
disease. Why did the disease in them anticipate the 
ravages of time, and in some measure violate its ordi- 
nary rules ?" For the reason that unnatural frauds 
had thoroughly exhausted and worn out the genera- 
tive organs. Sexual frauds and incomplete coitus, 
alike injurious to both sexes, are no sure guarantee 
against pregnancy. We have known husbands who 
practiced frauds, to become jealous when their wives 
became pregnant; they supposed they had been care- 
ful, and having long escaped, could not believe they 
could have made a mistake. And the author above 
quoted has known girls ruined by frauds, and their 
lovers refuse to marry, declaring it could not be pos- 
sible that they were the only parties that had enjoyed 
the lady's favors, assigning as a reason the extreme 
care observed. And I may add, that it is but a few 



202 woman's monitor. 



Avoid all Forms of Violation of God's Laws. 



days since I was consulted by a girl from the country 
belonging to a wealthy and highly respectable family, 
who is the victim of misplaced confidence in men's 
promises and genesiac frauds. Let all such know that 
frauds afford ])ut uncertain protection. If coitus is 
repeated before the spermatic. fluid is washed from 
the urethra, the female will likely conceive. Long- 
practiced frauds are likely to produce prolapsus ; the 
womb descending, may even present between the 
labia, and receive the spermatozoa from about the la- 
bia. Besides, it is well known to anatomists that 
some women have conduits leading from the labia to 
the uterus, and sometimes sending a branch through 
the broad ligament to the ovaries ; these take up and 
convey the male element. This may explain the 
extraordinary aptitude of some women to conceive. 
Be warned then to avoid all forms of violation of 
God's laws concerning the sexual relation. If He 
punishes with loathsome disease, which may even 
stamp its horrid features upon the children of the dev- 
otee of passion, and drag, through days and nights 
of torture, the mutilated and deformed transgressor to 
a premature grave; if He has so fenced about sexual 
intercourse that none may with impunity risk any pre- 
ventive without danger of failure and certainty of 
incurring a penalty, more or less severe ; if the voice 
of nature and revelation, and the teachings of science, 
all conspire to sound the alarm and point to the dan- 



CONJUGAL ONANISM. 20. 



An Earnest Appeal to the Women of America. 



gers in store for those who trample upon the laws of 
God in relation to the sexual function — women of 
America, will you, dare you, refuse to meet the high 
responsibilities of your position as wives and mothers? 
Will you continue to sin against your own nature and 
against the moral laws of your being, until the wrath 
of God is kindled to a consuming flame? or will you 
act as becomes Christian women, and turn a deaf ear 
to the jeers of those who would taunt you because of 
the increase of your family, " allowing the heathen 
world, if they will, to set their faces toward Sodom?" 
" What !" says one, " would you have the Christian 
mother confined at home, year in and year out, pursu- 
ing the endless drudgery of the household, the family 
almost yearly increasing, and lose her health by rapid 
child-bearing?" No; we freely admit that there is 
such a thing as too rapid increase of family. Some 
women can sustain the wear upon the vital forces 
with impunity ; but many American women are of 
too delicate constitution, and hence should exercise 
temperance in this as in every other relation of life. 
But how shall the number of offspring be brought 
within such limits as the health and circumstances of 
the parents demand ? "Not by conjugal frauds and 
criminal abortions, but by remembering that there 
should be such a thing as continence in married life 
as well as out of the marriage relation." We know- 
too many men appear to think that marriage gives 



204 woman's monitor. 



A Limit to Offspring not to be Sought through Conjugal Frauds, etc. 

license for the exercise of the most unbridled lust, 
and that Avoman is too frequently the unwilling victim 
of mans unhallowed passion ; and I fear this is too 
often in consequence of ignorance on the part of the 
husband as to the consequences to himself and the 
object of his deepest and. most cherished regards. 

These considerations may induce us at no distant 
day to prepare a small work on the above and kindred 
subjects addressed to men, appealing to their sense of 
justice and the higher and holier attributes of their 
nature, to induce them to pursue as rational a course 
in regard to their sexual relations as is pursued by 
the dumb beasts of the field, who are guided by in- 
stinct alone, and are not guilty of those refinements 
of debauchery that disgrace man, w T ho is endowed with 
the noble attribute of reason, and whose pathway may 
be lighted by the bright beams of revelation. 

Noble examples of men and women may be found 
in every community, who, with a conscientious re- 
gard for duty, refuse to transgress God's law in rela- 
tion to their physical as well as their moral being, 
and who enjoy peace of mind and health of body, be- 
cause they do not exhaust themselves by excesses of 
any kind. Their children are less liable to disease 
and premature death, and the energy and power of 
endurance, wasted by too many in conjugal excesses, 
is reserved to enable them to battle more successfully 
with the unavoidable ills of life ; also, to enable them 



CONNUBIAL EXCESSES. 205 



Effects of Connubial Excesses. 



more zealously to push forward the great moral re- 
forms of the day, and to build up the Church of God, 
and advance the kingdom of Christ on the earth : pur- 
poses infinitely more worthy the attention of rational 
and intelligent creatures than the exercise of demoral- 
izing passion. 

CONNUBIAL EXCESSES 

are, beyond doubt, a cause of much disease among 
women as well as among men, to say nothing of the 
number who are made nervous, feeble, forgetful, and 
morose, from this cause. It is plain to every ob- 
server who has made human nature a study, that very 
many are guilty of such excess as to produce serious 
disease. If but one family in every thousand were 
rendered miserable, through ignorance or willful dis- 
regard of the laws of health in this respect, we should 
be justified in writing here plain words of warning. 
But it will be clear to every one who investigates 
this subject that a much larger per cent, than this 
estimate would indicate are self-sacrificed upon the 
altar of Venus, and that a vast multitude of women 
are annually lost to society for all good and useful 
purposes, in consequence of disease brought upon 
them by their husbands in this way. Of course we 
do not include in this estimate the vast number in- 
jured indirectly, nor those who become contaminated 
with loathsome disease. We only speak of virtuous, 



206 woman's monitor. 



The Relics of Barbarism that still Exist. 



honored womanhood, within the pale of respectability, 
and would but hint that some of these, after being 
taught by their husbands all the refinements of de- 
bauchery, go into forbidden paths because the moral 
and mental powers are perverted through sympathy 
\s ith disease produced by excess, for which the hus- 
band was alone responsible. We have known husbands 
sometimes to become disgusted with the lewdness 
they have spent years nurturing into a perfect growth. 

I am not one of those morose individuals who are 
always finding fault with the times in which they 
live, and looking back to the hoary-grown ages of the 
past for examples of moral purity. But, candid 
reader, are there not some relics of the dark ages 
still lurking in secret places, and twining their poison 
tendrils about the dearest and most vital interests of 
society? I would not undervalue our institutions, 
decry our advanced state of knowledge, nor detract 
from the glory of our modern civilization — a civil- 
ization that has felt the power of Christianity to 
chasten every element, and guide it into such chan- 
nels as will lead the nations to light, liberty, and hap- 
piness — a Christianity which teaches personal purity, 
self-denial, and all those cardinal virtues which ele- 
vate the soul, and might bring man back to the purity 
of his first estate. 

"It was not until woman escaped from the harem 
to sit by man in the public assembly as his equal that 



CONNUBIAL EXCESSES. 207 



Woman the Equal of Man. 



he ceased to be barbarous and savage." And the 
crowning glory of the present age is the educated, re- 
fined, and dignified position of women in Christian 
lands. In no period of the world's history were 
women so much appreciated as co-w r orkers with man, 
in all that tends to elevate the race, as at present. 
Her exquisite sense of justice has been silently at 
work, remodeling the civilization of the age by in- 
stilling love of liberty and equal rights into the minds 
of the rising generation, until in the might of her 
power, by the strong arms of her valiant sons, the 
chains of human bondage have been broken, and 
liberty proclaimed throughout the land. 

Shall she not also be disinthralled, and placed as 
man's equal before the law ? . Shall not every re- 
straint be removed that prevents her from acquiring 
knowledge in our colleges and universities, on an 
equality with the sterner sex? More especially, shall 
not - every facility be afforded her for acquiring a 
knowledge of the medical profession, for the practice 
of which woman has so many peculiar endowments? 
The deep sympathy of her nature, her delicacy of 
touch, keenness of perception, and readiness of in- 
vention, are all qualities essential to success, espe- 
cially when caring for women of delicate organization, 
and for tender infants. 

Is it too much to hope that a new era has dawned 
upon humanity, in which woman's exalted nature 



208 woman's monitor. 

An Appeal for Woman's Elevation. 

shall be free to roam through the boundless realms of 
thought, with equal opportunity with men for educa- 
tion in all the departments of art, and in all the pro- 
fessions of life? Her mind will then be unshackled 
from that sense of dependence that has so long de- 
prived her of true liberty, by compelling her to look 
to marriage, and pleasing her husband, as her only 
means of honorable support. Self-sustaining and in- 
dependent, she can at leisure make suitable selection 
of a partner for life's great drama. Then indeed will 
she marry, not from the necessity of securing sup- 
port, as too many now do, but for love, and from a 
sense of duty, the result of "thoughtful deliberation. 
Such women will not shrink from the high and holy 
trusts of maternity. Nor can they be induced to 
submit to those connubial excesses which now de- 
grade and destroy so many of the women of this land. 
It is no uncommon thing for healthy persons to 
marry, and in a few years the blooming maiden is 
transformed into a faded woman, with haggard look, 
and feeble, nervous step. The husband we have 
known to become dyspeptic, feeble, and nervous, with 
palpitating heart, loss of memory, or worse, become 
insane or epileptic. Many well-marked cases, whose 
history I know, marshal themselves before the mind 
as I pen these lines, the unhappy victims of conjugal 
excess. Let such remember that the blooming maiden 
they led to Hymen's altar, and vowed to shield and 



CONNUBIAL EXCESSES. 209 

Not Placed in tlie World Simply to Eat, Drink, Propagate the Species, and Die. 

protect, is fading like a withered flower, and sinking 
to the grave, from disease produced and fostered by 
their unnatural excesses. That which is but a slight 
tenderness, or a mild leucorrhoea, if you continue to 
practice frauds, or are guilty of connubial excesses, 
will ere long be a severe inflammation, serious dis- 
placement, or a corroding cancer. The experience 
of ever}' observing physician will furnish ample proof 
that these excesses often cause abortion, with its 
manifold dangers, which either leads to sterility, or, 
by frequent repetition of the accident, to a condition 
that is quite sure soon to lead to fatal disease. 

Kind friend, man that was made but a little lower 
than the angels, and beautiful, exalted, confiding, an- 
gelic woman, were not created by an all- wise Provi- 
dence and placed in this beautiful world for no higher 
purpose than to eat, drink, propagate the species, and 
die like the unreasoning beast of the field. Much 
less were they placed here to indulge in debauchery 
and excess, though in the privacy of the hymeneal 
chamber and unchallenged by the civil law, and thus 
call forth the consuming fires of inflammation, a just 
retribution for such transgression. No! yours is a 
nobler heritage. The sexual passion was placed deep 
in the human breast lest in the effort to grasp wealth 
and power we should forget the command to multi- 
ply and replenish the earth. Reason was given to 
enable us to approach God in his works, and look- 

1Q 



210 woman's monitor. 



The Two Ways Contrasted. 



ing through nature up to Him, to behold in all their 
sublime glory visions of terrestrial beauty, whether 
displayed in the germination of the seed, in the un- 
folding of the flower, in the varied phenomena of 
vegetable and animal life, in the grandeur of the 
cataract or the tumult of the storm, in the fairy mist 
that glides upon airy pinions to welcome the god of 
day at the gates of the morning, or in the grandeur 
of old ocean lashed to fury by the wind, while the 
voice of many thunders come up from the bosom of 
the deep. To eyes, undimmed by transgressions of 
God's organic laws, and minds untrammeled by Pas- 
sion's consuming power — these bring a foretaste of 
joys unspeakable and full of glory. On one hand is 
the broad way that leads down to a premature grave, 
from which prayer and fasting and all the forms of 
religion will not save you if you do not stop to con- 
sider the necessity of temperance in all things. On 
the other hand is the narrow path of duty to your 
self, your neighbor, and your God, that will lead you 
through darkness and danger unharmed. Protected 
by the strong arm of omnipotent power, your bodies, 
free from the ills that are visited as a just retribu- 
tion upon those who transgress the organic laws of 
their being; your intellects, bright with the scintil- 
lations of genius, and your immortal spirits purified 
and redeemed by grace, your pathway through life's 
pilgrimage, spanned by the bright bow of promise, 



STERILITY. 211 



Causes and Cure of Sterility. 



must grow brighter and more joyful at every step, 
until in the evening of life's journey you may pass 
through flowery meads surrounded by nature's awe- 
inspiring grandeur and beauty, made bright and glori- 
ous by the benignant rays of the Sun of Righteous- 
ness; and thus the Christian's last hours may be 
spent in peace and joy amidst surroundings as en- 
chanting as the garden of the gods — sweet foretaste 
of the joys of heaven. 

STERILITY. 

Many families "are rendered unhappy because off- 
spring are not produced. The fault usually lies with 
the female, and many women are rendered sterile by 
conjugal frauds and sexual excesses, producing chronic 
inflammation, which keeps a plug of mucous or muco- 
purulent matter fillijig the neck of the womb, and 
thus preventing the spermatozoa from passing the 
uterine neck. The remedy is temperance in sexual 
relations and astringent and tonic injections, such as 
was recommended for such diseases in a former chap- 
ter. Scrofulous disease, severe colds, rheumatism, 
and all forms of tumors, when affecting the sexual 
system, may be causes of sterility. We have known 
many young persons use means to secure abortion 
the first time enceinte, because they did not yet de- 
sire offspring — the resulting disease ever after render- 
ing conception impossible. Later in life, when sur- 



212 woman's monitor. 



Sad Results from Early Indiscretion. 



rounded with wealth and every other comfort, the 
household desolate without children, the husband and 
wife often earnestly desire the presence of those 
prattlers whose appearance is so necessary to com- 
plete happiness. But, alas! early disease is slowly 
destroying her who but for the indiscretion of early 
married life might have been healthy and happy. 
Many of these cases are susceptible of cure by a 
skillful gynecologist, who can remove tumors, correct 
displacements, cure leucorrhoea, heal up ulcerations, 
and thus remove the sterility by curing the disease 
which caused it. Child-bed fever is a frequent cause 
of incurable sterility, the inflammation causing the 
fallopian tubes to adhere to the surrounding parts, so 
as not to be able to grasp the ovum and carry it to the 
uterus. 

Another very prevalent cause of sterility is that 
variety of painful menstruation which alternates with 
severe floodings, and whose characteristics are the 
presence of a blood-clot in the womb, retained fre- 
quently for several months, and when thrown off se- 
vere floodings occur, which are only arrested when a 
new clot is formed. This form of sterility is usually 
curable by a persistent course of treatment and great 
care on the part of the patient. The treatment of 
this difficulty was discussed when speaking of pain- 
ful menstruation. Sterility from constriction of the 
upper part of the canal through the neck of the womb 



HEREDITARY TRANSMISSION. 213 

The Transmission of Qualities. 

is of frequent occurrence, and usually readily cured 
by the sea-tangle tent. From the preceding remarks 
it must be apparent that a great variety of causes pro- 
duce the sterile condition, and that a large majority of 
such cases are amenable to proper treatment. 

HEREDITARY TRANSMISSION. 

It is well known that like begets like throughout 
nature's great realm, and that mankind form no ex- 
ception to this law. It is equally apparent to the 
observer of nature's operations, that certain extra- 
neous influences may modify and deflect from their 
usual course the operations of the law of transmission. 
Witness the devices of the patriarch Jacob when 
'dealing with his father-in-law Laban's cattle, by which 
he secured for himself ring-streaked and spotted off- 
spring in abundance. 

But these deflections do not become permanent so 
as to alter the type of the race, but run out in a few 
generations, the generic law assuming supremacy and 
holding the type of the race inviolate from age to age, 
so that accidental peculiarities of constitution or men- 
tal quality, the result of culture or accident, though 
frequently transmitted from parent to child, do not 
become permanent qualities of the family, developing 
a new type, but run out in a few generations, unless 
means are perseveringly used to secure permanence 
of the desired quality. To illustrate this thought: 



214 woman's monitor. 



The Results of Mental Impressions upon the Mother. 



Quite homely and uncouth individuals may have well- 
formed and graceful offspring ; every essential ele- 
ment of bone, muscle, and nerve, each and every one 
in its proper place, will correspond with that of the 
parent, if of the same race ; if not, the offspring will 
be a cross between the two, but the cross of races 
farthest removed from each other, as the black and 
the white, obey the laws of hybridity, and the higher 
or dominant type tends to run out the inferior ele- 
ment, so as to bring back the offspring in a few gener- 
ations to pure specimens of the dominant type. In 
a similar manner a family peculiarity will run out, 
if it is not a characteristic element of a dominant 
type of a species. 

But I said the ill-formed and ungraceful have 
sometimes beautiful children. These are deflections 
from the usual course of nature, and are the result 
of impressions upon the mind of the mother during 
maternity. The bodily and mental powers may be 
so changed through the impressions made upon the 
mind or body of the mother, as to influence the phys- 
ical, mental, and moral condition of her offspring. 
Hence it follows that the most cheerful surround- 
ings should, if possible, be furnished the pregnant fe- 
male with such society and reading as call forth and 
keep in exercise the highest and noblest faculties of 
her nature. She should look earnestly on beautiful 
statuary" that may be within her reach, spend much 



HEREDITARY TRANSMISSION. 215 



The Period of Conception one of great Importance. 



time in contemplating fine and graceful pictures and 
persons, attend the services of the most eloquent and 
logical divines, and keep the mind as much as pos- 
sible free from care, from doubts and fears, which de- 
press the intellectual and moral powers. 

The period of conception, in a hereditary point of 
view, is one of great importance to the future indi- 
vidual. Children conceived of parents, one or both 
of whom are intoxicated, will usually be weak in 
mind and body, often deformed and imbecile, or sub- 
ject to epilepsy or insanity. The same is true if 
either parent is laboring under disease, acute or 
chronic, or is feeble and nervous, from recent fevers, 
or other cause. We have often found one frail, con- 
sumptive child, in a large family, where all the rest 
were perfectly healthy, and have seldom failed to dis- 
cover, upon critical inquiry, that one or both parents 
were at the time of conception laboring under disease, 
or its consequences ; sometimes, though rarely, the 
mother had severe disease during maternity; but 
women are peculiarly exempt from fevers, and even 
contagious diseases, during maternity, as if Nature 
purposely made provision to protect their offspring. 
When disease of a serious character occurs at this 
period it is usually fatal to the mother, or miscarriage 
occurs. Thus Nature appears reluctant to mar the 
symmetry of her own works in their stage of de- 
velopment. Beware, then, of taking the responsi 



216 woman's monitor. 



Transmission of Disease. 



brlity of procreation when imperfectly recovered from 
serious disease. That cancer, scrofula, syphilis, and 
consumption are transmitted from parent to child, 
there is no doubt, as they have been found afflicting 
the foetus that had not arrived at full period. 

In many cases of disease supposed to be hereditary, 
it is probable that the disease is not transmitted direct, 
but a weakness or constitutional infirmity is impressed 
upon the offspring, or some of its organs or element- 
ary tissues that renders it an easy prey to disease; 
and it is not uncommon, where a family are going one 
by one with consumption, cancer, epilepsy, or insan- 
ity, for the disease to be postponed to about the same 
period of life in several successive generations. Yet 
who will deny that a carefully regulated life may not 
keep at bay, nay, entirely prevent, the development 
of disease, which is strongly marked as a family com- 
plaint? The cause was some deflection from the ro- 
bust condition of the ancestral stock, not a generic 
peculiarity of the race, and hence capable of removal 
by proper management on the part of individuals, or 
by careful observation of the laws of life by a few con- 
secutive generations. How important it becomes, in 
this view of the transmission of qualities, for every 
woman assuming the responsibility of maternity to 
study carefully the laws that regulate the transmis- 
sion of quality, and endeavor to secure symmetry and 



HEREDITARY TRANSMISSION. 217 

Certain Specific Diseases not Readily Transmitted by the Father. 

beauty of person, as well as fine moral and mental 
development ! 

Certain specific diseases, as syphilis, are not readily 
inherited from the father, although a constitutional 
infirmity predisposing to tubercle and other diseases, 
I doubt not, may be the result of transmission of bad 
organic tissues caused by the disease in the father. 
But the case is different as to the mother, who, if 
affected, will certainly transmit the disease to her off- 
spring. But diseases which depend on a low state 
of vitality in the organism of the father, as consump- 
tion, may be entailed upon the offspring, but not so 
certainly so, if the mother is healthy; but the dis- 
ease in the mother has a threefold chance of affecting 
the child, as the tainted ovum, no doubt, gives the 
same organic impression as the tainted spermatozoa. 
The nine months' connection with the mother, de- 
riving nutriment from her blood through the after- 
birth, must deepen the impression of her physical 
characteristics upon its every tissue during the entire 
period of its intra-uterine life. The period of nursing 
still continues the connection and dependence upon 
the mother, to a certain extent, so that the mother's 
influence in molding the constitution of the new being 
is no doubt greater than the father's. We may again 
call attention to the impression made upon her mind 
during maternity as very important, and calculated, 



19 



218 woman's monitor. 



Certain Peculiarities Lost for Generations may Re-appear. 



when she is afflicted with or anticipating disease, to 
fasten a tendency to such disease. 

Your attention is now invited to another peculiarity 
of the laws of transmission. A certain talent, trait 
of character, or peculiar tendency to particular dis- 
ease, as cancer, epilepsy, or consumption, as well as 
peculiarity of features, may disappear for several 
generations and then be repeated almost an exact fac- 
simile of a grand-parent or more remote ancestor. 
Another peculiarity of the law of transmission is the 
impression made through the fecundated ovum upon 
the constitution of the mother, whereby she becomes 
assimilated in nature to her husband — verily the 
twain become one flesh. It is not uncommon for a 
widow who has had a red-haired husband to marry 
a dark-haired man, with strongly marked bilious tem- 
perament. Yet it is not unlikely the first birth in 
the new union will have sandy or red hair, and re- 
semble the first husband in all its characteristics 
more than the second. It will not do to attribute 
this entirely to the influence of the mother's mind 
or imagination, as it is well known that a consump- 
tive husband ofttimes entails his disease upon the 
child of a perfectly healthy man who has married his 
widow. This impression appears to gradually wear 
out and usually is at length lost altogether. Ani- 
mals illustrate this law, as a pure-blooded white sow, 
in whose veins is not a drop of black blood, raising a 



HEREDITARY TRANSMISSION. 219 

The Husband's Traits Transmitted to the Wife. 

litter, whose sire is black or spotted, and consequently 
a mixed litter, will raise mixed litters several times 
after, though the sire is pure-blooded, the spots be- 
coming few and at last disappearing altogether. 
Horse-breeders well understand that it is impossible 
to get a smooth, sprightly colt from a mare that has 
bred a mule by a jack. 

These considerations should deepen the sense of 
responsibility on the part of every female who con- 
templates entering the marriage relation. In case of 
pregnancy she can not escape the impression of the 
husband's peculiarity of constitution upon her own 
physical organization; nay, more! through the phys- 
ical constitution, to some extent, at least, upon every 
faculty of her mind and every attribute of her soul. 
And in many cases these impressions are so deeply 
interwoven into the organization of the female as to 
leave their impress upon her constitutional powers 
through the remainder of life, ofttimes preparing her 
for the development of disease that in a few years 
must terminate her career. You may have heard it 
said that a reformed rake makes the best husband. 
It is true, after his wild oats are sown he may be more 
attentive to business and a more indulgent husband, 
but this will be a poor recompense for the pure heart, 
unsullied mind, and untainted constitutional powers 
he should have lain upon the hymeneal altar. If he 
comes to the nuptial couch — as the reformed rake 



220 woman's monitor. 



Reformed Rakes as Husbands. Mother's Marks. 

almost certainly does — with shattered remnants of 
broken vows, a heart callous to all the noble senti- 
ments and more exalted feeling that should thrill the 
human breast, with bodily and mental powers en 
feebled by debauchery and excess, he may, by the 
connubial embrace, instill into the blood of a confid- 
ing and trusting wife, if not a loathsome disease, a 
constitutional taint that will not only enfeeble her 
vital power and prepare her to become an easy prey 
to disease, but must stamp its hideous impression 
upon her children, which, if they may not be scrofu- 
lous or more seriously diseased from birth, are cer- 
tainly in the most favorable condition possible for the 
development of that diathesis whenever corroborating 
influence shall assail the unfortunate victim. 

MOTHER'S MARKS. 

From time immemorial it has Been a popular be- 
lief that accidents to the pregnant female, the view 
of horrible sights, sudden frights, and severe mental 
shocks might mark the child in the mother's womb 
with scars, representations of fruits, serpents, etc. 
While speaking of hereditary influence and the sur- 
roundings of woman during maternity, I said enough 
to forecast my position on this subject. I freely 
confess that I have often discovered marks where 
the mother was not aware of any occurrence that 
could be referred to as the probable cause, a well- 



mother's marks. 221 



Marks may have a Mechanical Origin. 



marked illustration of which I saw on the child of a 
lady whom I attended recently, and suspect they 
are frequently the production of a mark hereditary 
in the family and accidentally acquired by some an- 
cestor more or less remote. Some of these marks, 
as well as deformity of parts, may have a mechanical 
origin. I have also known mothers to refer fre- 
quently during parturition to the fear they had en- 
tertained lest the infant would have a certain mark, 
but no mark appeared. 

I will not occupy space rehearsing any of the thou- 
sands of cases recorded, or which have come under 
my own observation. Suffice it to say, that I believe 
the influence of the mind of the mother over the 
mental and physical powers of the child is founded 
on laws of nature susceptible of study and control. 
I have in a previous chapter remarked as to the influ- 
ence of the mother's surroundings during maternity, 
developing certain physical and mental qualities in 
the child. In obedience to the same law marks and 
peculiarities of the features are produced ; but the 
marks sometimes go away spontaneously just as the 
acquired features sometimes change. We have known 
domestic tranquillity disturbed by the appearance of 
the child having a strongly marked resemblance to 
some male friend of the family. The only instance 
illustrating this principle, which we will relate, hap- 
pened in the family of a worthy professional friend, 



222 woman's monitor. 



The Results of Mental Impressions. 



whose wife, during the early period of pregnancy, was 
very pleasantly impressed with the appearance of a 
beautiful young lady of her acquaintance, with clear 
skin, light blue eyes, and beautiful, bright golden hair, 
which hung in ringlets about her head. The child, 
when born, was almost an exact fac-simile of the 
lady in appearance, complexion, features, color of the 
hair and eyes, bearing not the least likeness nor sem- 
blance to the balance of the children nor to either 
parent. So perfect was the resemblance to the young 
lady that friends- acquainted with her, unacquainted 
with the mother's peculiar impressions, at once re- 
marked the striking resemblance. This child is now 
four and a half years old, and for the last six months 
has rapidly lost the peculiarity of features, and the 
color of hair is changing, to correspond with the rest 
of the family. As before observed, marks resembling 
fruit and other objects sometimes appear and remain 
permanent, at other times they go away in a few 
years, in obedience to the same law of return to pa- 
rental type manifested in the case above referred to. 

WHEN TO MARRY. 

Much has been written, and still more said, about 
the age at which it is proper for a woman to marry. 
This must depend in no small degree upon the tem- 
perament, habits of life, and constitutional vigor of 
the woman, and will range from twenty to twenty- 



WHEN TO MARRY. 223 



The Proper Age to Marry. 



five years. Few constitutions are sufficiently ma- 
tured before twenty safely to permit of the draft on 
the vital forces necessarily required to develop off- 
spring and withstand the cares and wear of married 
life. Besides, when the period of school-girl days is 
followed immediately by marriage, there is no time to 
mature the mind, by reading and study, to prepare 
the woman for the duties of social life, and the cares 
of the household are apt to so engross her attention 
after marriage that but little efficient effort is made in 
this direction. I hear a young miss say to herself, 
"It will not do to miss an eligible opportunity." 
Dear girl, if the object of your fancy does not think 
enough of you to wait until your bodily and mental 
powers are matured and consolidated he is not the 
man you want. If engaged do not promise to ex- 
clude yourself from society, thus depriving yourself 
of all opportunity of changing your mind. Make 
your engagement conditional; few men will hesitate 
to find excuse for breaking an engagement if they 
should change their mind. The fact is, the best way 
is not to te engaged too long before marriage. The 
love of the school-girl days often is as evanescent as 
the early dew, which is dried up and disappears be- 
fore the advancing light of the full-blown day. The 
man that would fascinate you at fifteen or eighteen 
you may scarcely be able to tolerate when viewing 
him through eyes less easily dazzled at twenty to 



224 woman's monitor. 



Spring or Autumn the Best Seasons. Wedding Tours 

twenty-five. The fact is, as Americans we live too 
fast in every respect, and plunge headlong into busi- 
ness, speculation, and art without sufficient training 
and culture. The result is disaster, perhaps ruin. 
So with American women; they assume the responsi- 
bility of married life too young, and the result is 
early decay and premature death. 

Midwinter and midsummer are objectionable times 
to marry, especially the latter. Spring and Fall 
should be chosen in this country, and Spring is pref- 
erable to Autumn, as offspring should occur within a 
year if no cause of sterility exist, and the child will 
pass the most difficult periods of teething at the 
most favorable seasons of the year. The wedding- 
day should be about midway between the menstrual 
periods, that the irritation and congestion of early 
married life may pass away before the ensuing men- 
strual crisis. The few weeks succeeding marriage are 
sufficiently trying upon the constitution of both par- 
ties without the wear of fatiguing journeys and the 
giddy whirl of dissipation at some fashionable water- 
ing-place or at a city hotel. Quiet and privacy with 
some country friend or at home would be more con- 
ducive to health. The bridal tour has ruined the 
health of many thousands of women, developing dis- 
ease that was never eradicated. 



WHOM TO MARRY. 225 



Common Sense should be used in Selecting a Husband. 



WHOM TO MARRY. 

Why, the man you love best, of course. But love 
should be tempered with good sense and governed 
by reason, lest when too late you may regret an ill- 
made match. Many men and women, too, mistake 
blind passion, inspired by a pretty face or a fine 
form, for that pure undying love whose holy flame, 
once lit upon the altar of the heart, goes not out for- 
ever. Swayed by the blind instinct of passion, too 
many marry, bewildered by dreams of happiness, 
which are dissipated by the first adverse gale that 
drifts from its peaceful moorings the matrimonial 
bark. Amidst adversity there is not mutual depend- 
ence, sympathy, and desire to assist each other. 
Hence the two drift apart, repelled by a lack of affin- 
ity. They do not love truly. Many women marry 
from a desire to secure wealth and position, and thus 
almost certainly lead a life of wretchedness that is 
pitiful indeed. Persons very similar in temperament, 
disposition, and bodily conformation should not mayy, 
for they can not be truly happy, and the offspring 
will be much like those of blood relations, predisposed 
to mental and bodily weakness. It is a law of the 
animal economy that those near akin, as first cousins, 
should not marry. Though the product of such unions 
may not show unmistakable evidence of Nature's 
displeasure, it is sure to appear sooner or later in the 



226 woman's monitor. 



Opposites Attract. 



descendants of such unions, except where, as some- 
times happens, they are far removed in temperament 
from each other. Young women sometimes many, 
from mercenary motives, men very much their senior 
in years. Of course true love does not cement the 
union, and the heart not affiliating perfectly with its 
mate, is left to wither and sink into premature de- 
cay for want of those enrapturing sentiments and 
soul-stirring transports that illuminate with affec- 
tion's brightest ray the path of true love through 
the dark and stormy nights on life's tempestuous sea. 
It is a law of Nature that opposites attract, and in 
its application to temperaments in marriage this is 
true. The light and dark, the fat and lean, the tall 
and shoit, the active and sluggish, within certain lim- 
its, attract each other. If it were not so the balance 
of the mental and moral universe would be displaced, 
and mankind, of the same race, would become almost 
as far removed from each other as the most diverse 
races of the earth. It is thus that Nature prompts 
to unions which bring up to a better standard the 
progeny of one, while it brings down to a lower grade 
the posterity of the other. Thus the strong assists 
the weak, and a proper equilibrium is preserved in 
the mental, moral, and physical forces of the race. 
But a just regard for the welfare of our own immedi- 
ate progeny should induce us to avoid great extremes, 
as the union of the cultivated and refined with the 



WHOM TO MARRY. 227 



Avoid too Great Extremes. 



coarse and ignorant, incapable of cultivation, of the 
very rich and the extremely poor, which destroys all 
true independence on the part of the one who goes 
into the partnership without capital. This does much 
better where the man is rich and the woman poor than 
the reverse, because it is natural for her to be de- 
pendent, and look to and lean for support upon him, 
as the graceful vine twines about and clings for sup- 
port to the majestic oak. A woman of cultivation 
and refinement will not be happy with a coarse, blus- 
tering, ignorant man, though she may make him a 
virtuous, honored wife. In time she must realize that 
she is growing into the likeness and image of what in 
her inner soul she does not love, and before she can 
be brought to a true, loving trust in such a creature, 
her nature must be transformed and accommodated to 
the gross character of her husband. 

It is a philosophic fact that a woman who is once 
pregnant by a man never entirely frees herself from 
the influence of his nature over her. Gradually she 
may lose the impression, but, if they live together, 
she becomes shaped more and more to the likeness 
of his image. Her handwriting, motions, voice, ap- 
pearance, disposition, and every mental attribute, be- 
come, in some measure, modified, until after the 
change of life, she is, if truly married, the counter- 
part of his being, and whether she will or not, she 
must be of him and like him in many respects. Nor 



228 woman's monitor. 



Disparity of Education. 



is this change all on her part, for to some extent he 
too is changed, partaking in some measure of her 
nature and attributes. It is thus that man and woman 
leave father and mother, sisters and brothers, and, 
cleaving together, " they twain become one flesh." 
Disparity of education is no bar to happy union, if 
the capacity to learn and the will to put forth the 
necessary exertion is not wanting, as the husband 
may find the most exalted pleasure in training and 
educating the wife in the principles of a divine phi- 
losophy that shall mold her to the fashion of his own 
mind, and enable her to drink from the same well 
from which he draws knowledge. I know a lawyer 
of first-class professional ability, who received a 
knowledge of the first rudiments of an English edu- 
cation from his wife after marriage, while working at 
the saddler's bench for support. 

Let me exhort you, young woman, not to fix your 
choice upon a reformed rake, for reasons given in a 
former chapter, nor upon a member of a family in 
whose blood runs scrofula, consumption, cancer, or 
like disease. Better that such should remain single, 
or marry of their kind, until the race in whose blood 
lurks the corroding poison is extinct from the earth, 
as it would be in a few years could they not ingraft 
their blighted germs upon a healthier stalk. Flee 
from such contamination of your body, and such en- 



PREGNANCY. 229 



Civil Law can not Sever the Tie that Binds those Truly United. 

tailment upon your children, as you would from the 
destroying shade of the poison Upas. 

From the foregoing considerations it will be ap- 
parent, we believe, that those who truly love and 
marry are united in such a manner that civil law can 
not put them asunder, and that the woman who has 
been fecundated becomes transformed to some extent 
into the image of the father of her child, though but 
little sympathy may exist between them, and, if di- 
vorced, she is a ruined creature, and yet to live with 
a man she can not respect and admire is a living 
death. How important, then, that you exercise care 
before entering upon such entangling alliances ! 

PREGNANCY. 

This is the legitimate and proper result of mar- 
riage, and the woman who enters the married state 
with any mental reservation as to this matter is un- 
worthy to fill the position of wife in any household. 
It is that period of her life to which she should as- 
pire, as the consummation of the holy bond that is to 
bind her in perfect unison with him she loves ; to 
develop a new responsibility, for which all previous 
training and education was but a preparation, to en- 
able her in a proper manner to discharge her duty. 
She has become the receptacle of a germ that in full- 
ness of time will be dearer to her than her own being. 
From the hour that the fecundated ovum attaches 



230 woman's monitor. 



The Wife's Responsibility. 



itself to her person and begins that interesting proc- 
ess of development that is to produce the future 
man or woman, its destiny, present and future, is in 
no small degree within her control. Upon her care 
and exercise of good sense depend the solution of 
the all-important questions, Shall it be well formed or 
gnarled and stunted in its growth ? Shall it be 
healthy, and attain a good old age, or spend a few 
brief years in suffering and pass away, leaving the 
parents' hearts desolate and sad? Shall its counte- 
nance beam with intelligence, or darken in the track- 
less void of idiocy ? Shall its proud aspirations arise 
to the highest point of excellence, and transport the 
soul, strong in faith and hope, to fairy realms, throng- 
ing with angels among the stars, and enable it to walk 
with God amidst Nature's sublimest beauty, or shall 
the dark pall of intellectual night gather around its 
blighted and withered spirits, and chain it to the 
dark realm of wretchedness and woe ? 

All this and much more, kind parents, in some de- 
gree, depends upon you, first upon the care you have 
bestowed upon your own physical, mental, and moral 
culture ; secondly, upon your study and observance 
of the laws of maternity, some of which we have 
feebly portrayed in the course of this work, and which 
we here recapitulate. 

It is essential that the pregnancy should have been 
designed, and at Nature's best period, within ten days 



PREGNANCY. 231 



Pregnancy should be Designed. Important Advice, 

of the close of the menstrual epoch; that both par- 
ents should be sound in mind and body, not even 
temporarily sick, or just recovering from disease. 
Both should be free from the influence of narcotics or 
other stimulus ; the mother should recline quietly, 
undisturbed for sometime after a fruitful congress. 
Both should maintain entire serenity of mind, if pos- 
sible, during the entire period of maternity. The 
passions should be undisturbed, if possible, for the 
first few weeks after conception. That the too frequent 
practice of abandonment to excess, because the female 
is pregnant, and hence the danger, as it is too often 
called, is removed, is a fruitful source of powerful de- 
velopment of the passions in the offspring, no physi- 
ologist can doubt. No father can consistently chide 
the son or daughter who goes into sin, if he has kept 
the womb of the mother almost daily congested by 
libidinous practices. It is certain that many parents 
do this who could more appropriately put on sack- 
cloth and ashes for their own sin. While we would 
not advocate entire continence during maternity, we 
insist on great temperance in this respect, for the 
reasons above hinted at. 

The ideas advanced in the chapter on hereditary 
transmission furnish all that is necessary, in addition 
to the above remarks, to complete the directions re- 
quired by the parents to secure symmetry of person, 



232 woman's monitor. 



Treatment for Nausea Arising from Pregnancy. 



exemption from disease, and proper mental and moral 
qualities in the offspring. 

SYMPTOMS OF PREGNANCY. 

Many women are able to determine the time of con- 
ception by certain nervous symptoms peculiar to them- 
selves ; but a large majority of persons are first noti- 
fied of the fact by the morning sickness or the cessation 
of menstruation. It is common for the stomach to 
sympathize with the womb when the first changes in 
its structure incidental to the maternal state occur. 
This is most conspicuous in the morning, and usually 
subsides in a few weeks, or, at the farthest, when the 
enlarged womb arises into the cavity of the abdomen at 
four to four and a half months. Sometimes vomiting 
continues through the entire period, and greatly re- 
duces the woman, from want of proper nourishment. 
It is not uncommon for similar sickness to result from 
sympathy with a womb enlarged from disease, as 
chronic inflammation. 

Treatment. — A cup of coffee and a biscuit before ris- 
ing, or a cracker and a small allowance of porter or 
champagne, will often prevent the sickness for the 
day. Some cases are controlled by three to five 
grains of sub-nitrate of bismuth three times daily in 
water. Of late years I have seldom failed to control 
this symptom by one or two grains of oxalate of 



BREASTS. 233 



Cessation of the Menses. Change in the Breasts. 

cerium, given in a little water or wine, three times 
daily. 

Cessation of the menses, when occurring in a healthy 
married female, should be taken as indicating preg- 
nancy, although it may be from other cause. It is 
not uncommon for women to menstruate once after 
conception. Many women menstruate up to the 
fourth month, and some during the. entire period of 
pregnancy. Cases are recorded where menstruation 
occurred only during pregnancy. It is evident, then, 
that this sign can not be relied upon. A terrible 
practice prevailing in every department of society is 
to take advantage of this uncertainty and use emmen- 
agogue teas and other forcing remedies, hoping to se- 
cure a return of the flow ; and occasionally these 
means cause abortion, but much oftener produce con- 
gestion of the uterus and ovaries, laying the founda- 
tion for serious disease, or cause hydrocephalus or 
other injury to the child. Considerable change occurs 
early, in the condition of the 

BREASTS. 

The nipples are sore, painful, usually swollen, and 
consequently more prominent. A peculiar stinging 
or prickling sensation runs through the breasts, which 
are larger and firmer than before. The veins beneath 
the skin are of a deeper blue and more prominent than 
ordinary. The rose-colored circle around the nipples 

20 



234 woman's monitor. 



How to Tell the Time of Quickening. 



changes to a darker color, and becomes covered with a 
number of little elevations. The time when these 
changes are first visible is usually about the third 
week; at times they do not occur until much later. 

QUICKENING 

is the motion of the child in the womb, a symptom 
which usually appears about the eighteenth week. 
Some women feel the motions of the foetus as early 
as the third month, others not until the sixth, or even 
the eighth month. Motion no doubt occurs, to some 
extent, at a very early period, but is too feeble to 
be perceived by the mother. It must be apparent 
that the vigor of the child, its position, and the 
amount of liquid, must in some measure determine 
the period of quickening. Ladies are often deceived, 
mistaking the motion of gas in the bowels and certain 
nervous twitching or spasmodic action of the muscles 
of the abdomen for quickening. Such mistakes are 
more apt to occur about the change of life, when 
bloating of the abdomen from collections of gases 
and sickness of the stomach from sympathy with a 
diseased womb, is most likely to occur, and consti- 
tutes a combination of symptoms that has often de 
ceived women of fair intelligence. No mistakes need 
occur if it is borne in mind that for the first two 
months after conception the abdomen is less promi- 
nent than usual, the navel is depressed, and the 



QUICKENING. 235 



Other Signs of Pregnancy. 



abdomen flattened. Sometimes about the third month 
a swelling occurs in the lower part of the abdomen 
and then disappears, so as to leave the person smaller 
at the fourth than at the third month, but after this 
the abdomen gradually enlarges, and the pear-shaped 
womb, not filling out into the sides, can be readily 
distinguished from the tense, round, elastic abdomen 
filled with gas. A variety of symptoms of occasional 
occurrence may be mentioned, as a change in the con- 
dition of the skin, a darker appearance than usual 
of moles and blotches, dark rings beneath the eyes, 
depraved appetite, longings for unnatural food, ex- 
cessive formation of saliva in the mouth, and heart- 
burn for the first three months, sometimes succeeded 
by a voracious desire for food, compelling the woman 
to arise at night in order to eat. There may be also 
palpitation of the heart, pain in the right side, sleepi- 
ness, toothache, or diarrhea. Many of these symp- 
toms are of but occasional occurrence. If a married 
woman ceases to be unwell, has a longing for unnat- 
ural or unusual articles of diet, with morning sick- 
ness, and change in the breasts, especially if she add 
a number of the other signs enumerated, she may be 
quite sure she is pregnant. Many women when preg- 
nant are completely changed in disposition; if before 
gentle and confiding, she may now be bitter, hasty, 
and jealous. But a change for the better is often 
observed in those who are naturally fretful and bad- 
tempered. 



236 woman's monitor. 



Treatment of Various Diseases incident to Pregnancy. 



DISEASES AND ACCIDENTS OF PREGNANCY. 

Morning sickness has already been referred to. If 
the directions given do not relieve, a physician should 
be summoned. I have frequently met with cases 
where chronic inflammation and abrasion of the neck 
of the womb was keeping up a species of dyspepsia, 
the disease not so bad as to prevent pregnancy, the 
sickness then becoming so bad as to keep up emesis 
or vomiting, so as to endanger the patient. This is 
sometimes promptly relieved by applying through a 
speculum a lock of lint wet with aqueous extract of 
opium, saturated with sub-nitrate of bismuth. Occa- 
sional touches with nitrate of silver will frequently 
afford prompt relief when all other means have proved 
unavailing. Constipation may usually be relieved by 
the means recommended in the chapter on that sub- 
ject. Occasionally it may be proper to take a seidlitz 
powder or a course of the effervescing soluble citrate 
of magnesia. Pain from tension of the abdominal 
muscles may be relieved by bathing the bowels daily 
with equal parts of sweet oil and laudanum. Rup- 
tured and enlarged veins, as well as a pendulous abdo- 
men, may be relieved by wearing a properly con- 
structed bandage, made to fit the back and hips, 
laced below so as to keep under the prominent por- 
tion of the abdomen, the lace then fastened and the 
remainder of the band laced more loosely, so as to 



MISCARRIAGES. 



Abdominal Bandages. Exciting Causes of Miscarriage. 

give support to the bowels without fitting so tightly 
as to make pressure on the womb. The bandage 
should be kept from slipping up by a T-bandage be- 
tween the limbs, resting on a soft napkin, and this 
should have elastic connections with the main band- 
age. A pair of elastic suspenders should then cross 
the shoulders and be buttoned to the upper edge of 
the bandage behind and before, so as to enable the 
woman to carry the weight of the abdomen in some 
measure upon the shoulders. This arrangement will 
enable many to take exercise, when without it they 
must be confined to the room or even to the bed. It 
will be obvious that the pressure removed from the 
vessels and nerves, that the congestion and swelling 
of the lower limbs, as well as the cramps, must be 
relieved. When this support is not well borne the 
woman should recline much, with limbs slightly ele- 
vated. 

MISCARRIAGES 

are very common, even where great care is observed 
on behalf of all the parties concerned, and may be 
caused by severe sickness of any kind, especially by 
congestive chills, or similar affections. Eighteen years' 
experience in malarious districts has convinced me 
that large doses of quinine are a powerful emmen- 
agogue, and will frequently cause abortion, if not 
combined with opium. Falls, blows, or even a mis- 
step, will cause abortion \ the membranes may be 



238 woman's monitor. 

Treatment of Accidents, etc., that Induce Miscarriage. 

ruptured, or the placenta be partially detached ; the 
former must be followed by abortion, the latter by 
bleeding, and usually by miscarriage. In case the 
membranes give way, and the waters are discharged, 
lie down, keep still, and patiently wait Nature's 
movements. If flowing occur after an injury of any 
kind it is likely that the after-birth is partly de- 
tached, and the woman should take her bed, lie still 
for some days, and take twenty to thirty drops of 
laudanum, repeating every six hours, if necessary to 
control pain. The tampoon should not be used to 
control the flow, unless it is so severe as to threaten 
life ; the clothes should be loose, the foot of the bed 
elevated, and the most perfect rest and quiet enjoined. 
These means failing, soft cloths should be saturated 
with the blood or alum-water, and introduced into 
the birth-passage until it is filled. Of course com- 
petent medical aid will be secured as soon as possible. 

FLOODINGS, 

without any accountable cause, occurring in the 
last weeks of pregnancy, should excite suspicion 
that the after-birth may be over or near the mouth 
of the womb, and its integrity destroyed by the 
gradual unfolding of the neck, and opening of the 
mouth of the womb. Fortunately for poor suffer- 
ing woman this is a rare accident, but one I have 
several times encountered in the rounds of profes- 



DANGERS TO THE MOTHER. 239 

One Miscarriage Induces Another. 

sional duty. Under the most skillful management 
great fears are to be entertained of fatal results. 
Secure the best medical aid. Do not forget the 
suggestion that such conceptions probably occur after 
the close of the second week after menstruation. 
Miscarriage is more likely to occur in the first than 
subsequent pregnancies, and when it does occur there 
is a peculiar tendency to repeat the accident at about 
the same period. Positive rest for a few days, on 
the first appearance of the symptoms, assisted by one 
or- two full doses of opium, say one and a half to two 
grain doses, will usually suffice to carry one over the 
critical period, if no serious uterine disease exists. 
Miscarriages are likely to occur on the period of 
change; many women feel a fullness in the abdo- 
men, some distress in the back, and other symptoms 
of menstruation, during the entire maternal period, 
when their sick week returns, so that those who have 
had threatening, with proper care, will probably be 
exempt for twenty-eight days. But counting care- 
fully the weeks they would have been unwell if not 
pregnant, they should exercise unusual care during 
those periods; all marital relations should be sus 
pended, and but little exercise taken. 

DANGERS TO THE MOTHER. 

Women make too light of miscarriages, and do not 
exercise care enough in getting up; hence the womb 



240 woman's monitor. 



Too Little Importance Attached to Miscarriage. 



does not properly return to its natural size, and dis- 
placements occur. Colds are taken, or too much exer- 
cise or labor indulged in so early as to insure chronic 
inflammation of the womb or its lining membrane. 
From these result a long line of sympathetic affections, 
prominent among which I may mention dyspepsia, pal- 
pitation of the heart, ringing in the ears, dizziness, 
weakness of sight, and in many cases consumption. 
Because their results follow at some distance their 
cause is not apparent to the non-medical observer; nor 
is it any the less true that miscarriage and its conse- 
quences are fast hurrying to the tomb thousands who 
little suspect the real cause of their decline in health. 

CONSTIPATION 

is often a serious trouble during maternity. This 
should be removed by the use of the syringe, and a 
properly regulated diet, as directed in the chapter on 
constipation. The pendulous abdomen, so common in 
the advanced stages of pregnancy, and which usually 
afflicts those of relaxed habits who have borne several 
children, may be remedied by a properly adjusted 
bandage, laced close at the lower edge, and supported 
by elastic suspenders over the shoulders. If left 
without support, it grows worse during every preg- 
nancy. The dragging downward of the abdominal 
viscera causes an all-gone sensation about the stom- 
ach, and weakness of the back is liable to produce 



SWOLLEN LIMBS AND ENLARGED VEINS. 241 

Remedies for Swollen Limbs, Enlarged Veins, and Giddiness. 

difficult labors, because the womb does not exert its 
power in the proper direction to secure the engage- 
ment of the child in the upper strait of the pelvis. 

SWOLLEN LIMBS AND ENLARGED VEINS 

are frequently a source of annoyance for several 
weeks previous to confinement. The best remedy 
is the use of the bandage above directed for pen- 
dulous abdomen, so arranged as to carry the weight 
to some extent upon the shoulders, and thus diminish 
the pressure upon the vessels at the groin. When 
the bandage is not well borne, as sometimes happens, 
the lady should lie down frequently, and thus remove 
the weight of the uterus, that the enlarged vessels 
may be unloaded. The stress upon the vessels is 
thus temporarily removed. 

GIDDINESS 

is usually an indication of excessive fullness of the 

blood-vessels, and in severe cases may demand the 

use of the lancet ; but the habit of abstracting blood 

simply because the woman is pregnant, can not be 

too severely condemned, as the vessels soon are as 

full as ever, and the bleeding must be repeated, 

and its frequent repetition is likely to disturb the 

equilibrium of the vital forces in such a manner as to 

lead to apoplexy, paralysis, convulsions, or similar 

diseases in after years. A more rational treatment is 

21 



242 woman's monitor. 



Treatment for Wakefulness, etc. 



low diet, assisted in bad cases by occasional doses of 
some mild cathartic, as small doses of Epsom salts, or 
effervescing soluble citrate of magnesia. 

WAKEFULNESS AND RESTLESSNESS 

at night may arise from nervous irritability, and may 
be relieved by the occasional use of a table-spoonful 
of elixir of valerianate of ammonia, an elegant prep- 
aration found in the shops. In some cases it may be 
necessary to give fifteen or thirty grains of hydrate 
of chloral dissolved in water, before retiring to secure 
sleep. The chloral should not be habitually given, 
but may be necessary occasionally. If such power- 
ful means are required to secure rest it is likely the 
bowels are constipated, that the diet is improper, that 
the patient is exercising too much or too little, or 
that some other bad habit needs correcting. 

EXERCISE 

should be in moderation. The pregnant female should 
avoid labor that requires much stooping, heavy lifting, 
or over-fatiguing exertion ; should not attend at child- 
births, assist to dress wounds, nor be present at sur- 
gical operations; should avoid as far as possible at- 
tendance in the sick-room. She should spend much 
time in the open air and keep body and mind both 
actively employed. The routine of domestic duties 
should not be avoided ; her rooms and chambers 



FOOD DWARFING THE CHILD. 243 

Proper Diet for a Pregnant Woman. 

should be well ventilated, and every means used to 
secure the highest possible degree of mental and 
bodily strength. Her 

FOOD 

should be plain and abundant, but should not be taken 
in excess. All kinds of fruit, berries, and melons, as 
well as meat, eggs, and milk, should be allowed if de- 
sired. Corn and wheat bread should be supplied 
abundantly to those whose children have soft bones 
or are rickety, but to such as produce children, with 
the openings of the head well closed up, and hence 
usually have hard labor, because the head does not 
yield readily to the shape of the pelvis, we would 
advise to substitute, as far as possible, potatoes, tap- 
ioca, sago, arrow-root, or rice, for bread of corn or 
wheat flour, as the latter articles furnish more earthy 
matter to the blood of the mother, and hence tend to 
produce more unyielding bones in the offspring. 

DWARFING THE CHILD 
may be necessary on account of the small size of the 
mothers pelvis or an unusual tendency to produce 
large children. This may be effected by repeated 
bleedings and keeping the mother much under the in- 
fluence of opium, so that those who could not have 
living children may be blessed with offspring. The 
size of the child may be reduced one-half or more by 
these means, and such children often thrive well; but 



244 woman's monitor. 



How to Diminish Pain in Labor. 



it must be confessed that the mother's constitution 
will be impaired, and the child could not possess the 
organic qualities it would have possessed if developed 
under more favorable circumstances. But it may be- 
come a duty, in order to save the life of the child and 
diminish the danger to the mother, that both should 
take these risks. 

PAIN IN LABOR 

may be much diminished by careful diet, as above 
recommended, and by the preservation of good health 
on the part of the mother from correct habits of life. 
Severe suffering is usually the result of some bad 
position of the child, which the accoucheur may cor- 
rect, or of irregular contraction of the uterus, spas- 
modic contraction of the lower part of the womb or 
of the muscles about the perineum, all of which may 
be prevented by proper attention to diet and care in 
exercise during maternity. In many cases the suffer- 
ing may be much diminished by drinking freely of 
slippery-elm tea for several weeks before confine- 
ment. It relaxes the system, increases the amount 
of mucous secretion, and thus facilitates labor. Dur- 
ing maternity * 

SEA-BATHING, THE FOOT-BATH, AND THE 
SHOWER-BATH 

should be avoided, but the lukewarm sponge-bath is 
safe and proper. Persons of relaxed habit should 



WILL THERE BE TWINS? 245 

Baths. Twins. Boy or Girl ? 

not remain long in a warm bath at any time, but 
should be very cautious in the use of this bath when 
pregnant. Nervous women with a tendency to rigid- 
ity of muscle may be much benefited by the fre- 
quent use of the warm bath during the latter weeks 
of pregnancy. It calms nervous excitability and re- 
laxes muscular spasm, and thus tends to facilitate 
labor. 

WILL THERE BE TWINS ? 

is often asked when the woman is very large, or has 
suffered unusually with morning sickness. The shape 
of the abdomen is sometimes indicative of the press- 
ure of twins, but the only infallible sign is furnished 
to the physician, who by carefully listening may some- 
times hear two infant hearts beating in opposite sides 
of the abdomen. 

IS IT A MALE OR FEMALE ? 

is frequently the subject of anxious inquiry on the 
part of the parents, and the size of the abdomen and 
amount of motion are supposed to be indicative. 
This is a mistake. The frequency of the beats of 
the foetal heart is supposed to mark the sex. If over 
one hundred and thirty beats per minute it is sup- 
posed to be a girl; if under that number, a boy. 
This must be very inaccurate, as the temperament 
and health of both mother and child must affect the 



246 woman's monitor. 



Seven Months' Children, etc. 



number of pulsations. If the period of conception 
is known, some persons infer that it is a girl, if the 
occurrence was immediately after menstruation; if 
two or more weeks after menstruation, that it is 
probably a boy. This method of judging will often 
disappoint us. 

THE DURATION OF MATERNITY 

varies considerably. The first pregnancy usually ter- 
minates from one to three weeks short of the usual 
average period of forty weeks. A child born at seven 
months, if tenderly cared for, will usually survive, 
and in rare cases even earlier. There can be no 
doubt that pregnancy is often protracted several 
weeks beyond the usual average. The code Na- 
poleon declares that a child shall be considered 
legitimate, that is born within three hundred days 
after the departure or death of the husband, or one 
hundred and eighty days after marriage. But this 
provides that a child born more than three hundred 
days after the departure or death of the husband, 
shall not necessarily be declared a bastard, but its 
legitimacy may be contested. Prof. Charles T>. 
Meigs publishes a case where the pregnancy was pro- 
longed to four hundred and twenty days. Dr. Attee 
and Prof. Simpson, of Edinburgh, as well as many 
others, have reported similar cases, which they con- 
sidered trustworthy. 



PROTRACTED LABOR EXPECTED LABOR. 247 

How to Reckon the Time for Labor. 

THE CAUSE OF PROTRACTED LABOR 

is usually some defect in the energy of the womb, in- 
duced by previous disease, the use of narcotic drugs, 
or some powerful mental impression. As a. rule, the 
woman whose habits are correct, and who is subject to 
no unusual influences, will be confined on the period 
of that menstrual crisis which falls nearest forty 
weeks from the period of conception; but many cases 
can be protracted by heavy doses of opium or similar 
narcotic, and avoiding exercise. 

THE TIME OF EXPECTED LABOR 

may be counted from the day of the disappearance 
of the last monthly sickness — three months are sub- 
tracted and seven days added; the date thus given 
will correspond to the period when labor should com- 
mence. Suppose the cessation was on the twentieth 
of June ; subtract three months and we have March 
20th; add seven days and we have March 27th, of 
the ensuing year. This method will not usually fail 
but by a very few days. It gives forty weeks, or two 
hundred and eighty days. 

WHAT INFLUENCES CONTROL THE SEX OF 
THE CHILD. 

Prof. M. Thury, of Geneva, claims to show how 
males or females may be produced, as may be desired. 



248 woman's monitor. 



Influences Supposed to Control the Sex of the Child. 



He says that hens lay female eggs first, that the same 
is true of bees, and that later male eggs are produced ; 
that stock-growers have observed that females shown 
the male in the first period of heat produce females, 
and at a later period, males. Upon these facts, and 
similar observations as to the human female, he has 
announced it as a law that conception occurring within 
the first few days after menstruation will produce a 
girl, and when it occurs later the result will be a boy. 
There are many facts recorded that appear to give 
color to this supposition. But to my mind there are 
several serious objections to accepting it as a uni- 
versal law. First, I have observed that in quite a 
number of cases, when I had every reason to be- 
lieve pregnancy occurred immediately after the cessa- 
tion of the menses, boys were produced. Second, it 
is a generally received opinion that conception usu- 
ally occurs within a few days after menstruation, 
and yet more boys are born than girls, as shown by 
the statistics of births. 

From the above and several other considerations, 
which I have not the space to mention, it appears we 
should receive Prof. Thury's -theory with many grains 
of allowance. We have bestowed some attention upon 
the study of this question, and have adopted the idea 
that preponderance of desire or dominant ardency of 
temperament governs the sex of the child. It has 
been observed that men whose nervous forces are 



PREPARATIONS FOR LABOR. 249 

No Sure Rule. Preparations for Labor. 

exhausted by disease or excessive study, beget girls; 
that a feeble, aged father with a young wife usually 
produces girls. But a few years seniority on the part 
of the husband often reverses the rule, and boys are 
begotten. If girls are often produced, when concep- 
tion occurs about the close of the menstrual epoch, 
Ave believe it is due to the greater activity of the 
mother's passions and sexual energies at that period, 
and that a variety of circumstances may overrule this 
preponderance so that boys may be produced. 

PREPARATIONS FOR LABOR 

These relate first to the mother. Careful attention 
should be given to the state of her health. The bow- 
els should be regulated and the stomach should not 
be oppressed with coarse, indigestible food. The sys- 
tem should be relaxed by drinking freely of tea made 
from slippery-elm bark or similar mucilage, if of firm 
muscle; if of relaxed habits, this is not necessary. 
As labor approaches, if a slight relaxation of the 
bowels fail to occur, which is usual, a light cathar- 
tic should be given — in relaxed habits, rhubarb 
or castor oil; in persons firm in health and of full 
habit, with plenty of blood, w T e prefer citrate of mag- 
nesia or Epsom salts. The nipples should be rubbed 
between the fingers or with a fine cloth several times 
daily for a few weeks previous to labor, to harden the 
skin. Diluted brandy or solution of alum has been rec- 



250 woman's monitor. 



Further Directions Concerning the Lying-in Chamber. 



ommended, but occasional friction is all that is usually 
required. The part will be protected by the secretion 
of more material, forming a thicker epidermis. The 
room should be as large and well ventilated as possible. 
If an outdoor exit, it should be closed in damp and cold 
weather, so as to require persons entering the room 
to enter through an apartment where there is a fire, 
that the cold, damp air may not rush into the room 
and change the temperature too quickly, and that 
cold and dampness may be removed from the clothing 
of persons before entering in the lying-in chamber. 
It should be as retired as possible, that the patient 
may be kept quiet, and but few visitors should be per- 
mitted for several days. This rule should be rigidly 
enforced if the woman had hard labor, lost much 
blood, or is ftf an excitable, nervous temperament. 
The bed and clothing should be well aired, and if pos- 
sible should be occupied by the lady for some days 
previous to labor. Feather-beds should in no case 
be allowed; they absorb poisonous effluvia, and are 
difficult to cleanse. They retain the animal heat and 
diseased nervo-vital fluids. Being poor conductors of 
heat and electricity, they thus predispose to wakeful- 
ness, nervous diseases, and inflammations. The bed 
should be a mattress of hair, straw, or husk. This 
should be protected by an oil-cloth, over this a blanket 
or quilt, under the sheet; upon this a few thicknesses 
of some soft material should be placed, just under the 



PREPARATIONS FOR LABOR. 251 



Further Directions. 



hips of the patient, to absorb the liquids and any 
blood that may escape. A spring-mattress is not 
firm, and consequently not good, especially in difficult 
labors. I have frequently seen much confusion at a 
critical moment by the weight of assistants springing 
out slats from a common bedstead. This is likely to 
happen if the slats are not long enough to fit the bed- 
stead closely. The bed should be so arranged that 
the accoucheur can approach it with his right hand 
toward the bed, as most persons are more apt in 
rendering assistance with the right hand. Hot and 
cold water should be at hand, also soap, towels, and 
a basin ; some volatile stimulants, as hartshorn, also a 
small quantity of good brandy or whisky is sometimes 
necessary to assist in rallying a patient from a state of 
exhaustion, but these may usually be dispensed with. 
Some linen or cotton cloths are required, a towel of 
sufficient length, or a properly prepared bandage, also 
a piece of cotton, silk, or linen twine, to tie the cord, 
and a pair of sharp scissors completes the armament 
necessary to be provided. The clothing of the child 
should be large, so as to allow of no unnecessary 
pressure on its tender frame ; as few pins as possible 
should be used about its clothing, though some strong 
pins should be at hand for securing the bandage upon 
the mother. We prefer these to the lacing-strings so 
often used, as it is difficult to secure a proper fit with 
the latter. There is no dress so comfortable for an 



252 woman's monitor. 



Symptoms of Labor. 

infant as a woolen wrapper, close about the neck, and 
with long sleeves; it should fit quite loosely. 

SYMPTOMS OF APPROACHING LABOR. 

About two weeks before confinement the womb 
usually drops or descends, so that the upper portion 
is on a level with or below the umbilicus, and the 
abdomen appears smaller. The woman is somewhat 
relieved from the oppression and difficulty of breath- 
ing, which had previously troubled her, and will be 
able to take more exercise. If her first experience, 
she may be tempted to go from home and be over- 
taken with labor, as has frequently happened. An- 
other sign of approaching labor is increased fullness 
of the external genitals, with more abundant secre- 
tion of mucus. This may amount to a considerable 
discharge, requiring a napkin to be worn. If this se- 
cretion is rather abundant it is a good sign, promising 
an easy labor, as it indicates a relaxed condition, which 
is favorable. 

THE FIRST RELIABLE SYMPTOMS OF ACTUAL 

LABOR 

are pains caused by the contractions of the womb. 
These take place at intervals, which are longer at the 
beginning, and shorter as the labor advances. At first 
they occur every twenty to thirty minutes; but as 
the irritation becomes intense, they increase in fre- 



SYMPTOMS OF ACTUAL LABOR. 253 

Causes and Character of Labor Pains. 

quency, until they are repeated every two to five 
minutes. The average duration of labor is four hours. 
The pains are said to be owing to the sensibility of 
the resisting, and not to that of the propelling organs. 
The pains of labor are usually felt in the lower part 
of the abdomen, and in the back ; they are rarely 
felt in the upper part of the womb ; never unless the 
muscular contractions are irregular or spasmodic. As 
the labor advances the pain will be felt lower in the 
pelvis, until the most agonizing throes are caused by 
pressure upon the muscles of the -perineum and ad- 
jacent parts. Those which put the labia and per- 
ineum on the stretch are represented as absolutely 
indescribable. As the presenting part of the child 
presses upon the bowel and bladder some pain is to 
be expected, if their contents have not recently been 
evacuated. Urgent desire to do so will now be set 
up. This desire should be gratified at first, but the 
pressure will keep up a disposition to arise after the 
pelvis is filled w 7 ith the presenting portion of the 
child, and many women will insist on getting up at a 
time when it would avail nothing, and might be 
attended with danger to the woman or child. Vomit- 
ing is frequently met with during labor, and is mostly 
present during the dilatation of the neck of the womb. 
Violent tremors of the body and limbs, with chatter- 
ing of the teeth, as in ague, are very generally ob- 
served, but are unaccompanied with sensation of chill. 



254 woman's monitor. 



False Labor Pains. Duration of Labor. 

False pains are very common in persons subject to 
rheumatism ; they occur in some cases irregularly for 
weeks previous to confinement, and render the pains 
of labor teasing, and unusually hard to bear. This 
often protracts the period of suffering, with harass- 
ing after-pains. Such patients should be kept in 
bed for sometime previous to labor, taking five or ten 
grains of Dover's powder at night; also some alka- 
line remedy, as bicarbonate of soda, three times daily, 
and in some cases a course of colchicum and guaia- 
cum, as equal parts of the tinctures mixed in tea- 
spoonful doses three times daily. 

DURATION OF LABOR. 

It is obvious that the duration and amount of suf- 
fering in labor must depend on the shape of the 
pelvis, the character of the pains, the size of the 
child, the part presenting as a dilating medium ; also, 
in case of head-presentation, upon the position of the 
head, and the facility with which it is molded to the 
shape of the pelvic cavity. This must depend upon 
the condition of the child's head. If the openings 
are well closed up, so that pressure does not readily 
diminish the size of the head, and if that organ is 
relatively large for the pelvis, the labor must be 
severe. It is not desirable that labor should be too 
rapid; the child is more liable to be injured, and the 
mother suffers more soreness afterward from too 



DURATION OF LABOR. 255 

Labor should not be too Rapid. 

rapid dilatation of the parts. This is especially true 
in first labors. I have known young women so 
seriously injured by rupture of the perineum as to 
require severe surgical operations for their relief, be- 
cause the women in attendance, instead of pressing 
against the perineum, and retarding labor in its last 
stages, so as to allow the parts time to yield, encour- 
aged severe expulsive efforts : and hence the disas- 
trous results. The contraction of the circular fibers 
about the neck of the womb are the first resistance 
to the passage of the child ; the long fibers running 
from the neck over the womb, and back on the other 
side, by their contraction produce the expulsive effort. 
The force of the first contractions cause pain about 
the neck of the womb, gradually opening it. At this 
period, in addition to shiverings and nausea, you will 
observe most women grasp the hand of their assistants 
with a firm pressure — they are not inclined to pull. 
When severe expulsive pains occur they are likely to 
pull heavily with their hands. So with a little experi- 
ence and care in observing symptoms, one can be 
pretty certain as to the stage of the labor. All such 
cases should be conducted by an experienced ac- 
coucheur, either male or female. 

I may here be allowed to digress sufficiently to 
remark, that while I freely acknowledge woman's 
right to practice the art, her ability to acquire the 
requisite knowledge, and the deeper sympathies of 



256 woman's monitor. 



Female Accoucheurs. 



her nature, which would seem to peculiarly fit her for 
the companionship of one of her own sex, while pass- 
ing this trying ordeal, yet years of observation have 
convinced me that by reason of that very sympathy, 
and because of the peculiarities of her nervous or- 
ganizations, she is by nature unfit to perform many 
of those operations at times required to carry one 
safely through an abnormal labor. It is a psychological 
law inherent in our nature that deep sympathy with 
one in suffering tends to produce congestion and nerv- 
ous irritation in a corresponding part of the body, in 
one brought into full sympathy with the person suf- 
fering. The educated female midwife must, under 
trying circumstances, feel the full force of her re- 
sponsibility, and if she fully realizes the condition of 
her patient, the very foundations of her womanhood 
must be stirred to their profoundest depths. Her 
own uterus and ovarian stroma must feel the shock, 
and, however great her self-control, by the laws of 
reflex nervous action, it must affect her mental forces, 
so that but few indeed could promptly and efficiently 
execute those operations which, with other surround- 
ings, they might be fully competent to perform. 
If, with an iron will, she forces herself to the un- 
welcome task, every experience but renders her 
more and more susceptible to the influence of the 
causes to which I allude. There are but few indeed 
who do not, sooner or later, abandon a class of asso« 



DURATION OF LABOR. 257 

Male Accoucheurs. 

ciations that by experience they find so peculiarly de- 
pressing to their physical and mental powers. Xot 
so with the male accoucheur. Possessed of human at- 
tributes, he must deeply sympathize with his suffer- 
ing patient; but, by the very laws of his mental 
constitution, he does not feel that bodily suffering 
that must reach the woman under the same circum- 
stances. So that in difficult and dangerous labors, at 
least, I am quite sure women will continue in the 
future, as they have in the past, to feel safer when 
assisted by a professional gentleman. I am aware 
that the same argument will apply, in a certain de- 
gree, to the treatment of female diseases by female 
physicians, but not to the same extent, as there are 
but few cases where disease would be likely to make 
such sudden and profound impressions upon the sen- 
sitive female nature as to pervert from their normal 
channels the flow of her mental forces. 

While I believe the principles here enunciated to 
be correct, I do not wish to be understood to oppose 
woman's practicing the healing art. A wide field for 
usefulness is before her in general practice, and in 
several specialities, even if she avoid a certain class 
of obstetric cases, and some forms of gynecological 
surgery. All women should have sufficient knowl- 
edge to render ordinary assistance, in the absence of 
a physician, as circumstances may often make such 
knowledge necessary. This general knowledge may 

22 



258 woman's monitor. 



Meddlesome Midwifery Fraught with Evil. 



be gathered from the remarks I shall make as to the 
duties of the physician, and the nurse, or attendants. 

DUTIES OF PHYSICIAN AND ATTENDANTS. 

The duties of the physician, when summoned, will 
be first to observe the character of the pains. If they 
are of the expulsive character, or in case the waters 
have broken, he will institute an examination. The 
preliminary prerequisites are soap, a basin of water, 
and towel, for washing his hands, and some lard free 
from salt. The woman should lie upon her left side, 
near the edge of the bed, with limbs well drawn up ; 
the fore-finger, well oiled, is passed into the vagina, 
reaching the neck of the womb, and the condition of 
that organ ascertained ; also, if possible, the part of 
the child presenting. This should be done carefully, 
that the membranes may not be ruptured. If the 
labor is natural, which is usually the case, she should 
then remain undisturbed, as nothing he could possibly 
do would assist in the least; and unnecessary efforts 
to assist, so commonly practiced by ignorant accouch- 
eurs, I suppose for the purpose of keeping up the ap- 
pearance of doing something, can but injure the soft 
parts and retard the labor. One of America's greatest 
obstetricians has well said: "Meddlesome midwifery 
is fraught with evil." Let the nurses render such 
little assistance as the patient's wants may require, 
otherwise let her alone^ — only securing such position 



DUTIES OF PHYSICIAN AND ATTENDANTS. 259 

Minute Directions. 

as the nature of the labor may demand. Occasion- 
ally it may be well to note the progress of the labor 
by an examination. If the labor is tardy on account 
of feeble pains from over-distension of the womb, as 
sometimes happens, it may be well to rupture the 
membranes, but never until the lower part of the 
womb is well dilated. It is seldom that this pro- 
cedure is not soon followed by severe expulsive efforts 
on the part of the womb, when the woman should be 
encouraged to assist, by filling the lungs and bearing 
down, making expulsive efforts with the abdominal 
muscles. As the head gradually puts the external 
parts upon the stretch, her expulsive efforts should 
cease, that the passage may not be too sudden ; and 
in all cases except those where great relaxation ex- 
ists, a folded napkin should be oiled, laid in the hand, 
and the parts supported to prevent too rapid delivery. 
This should be carefully attended to by one of the 
assistants, especially in first labors, if the delivery is 
likely to occur before the arrival of the medical at- 
tendant, and the delivery prevented, if possible, until 
the arrival of the doctor. This may not always be 
possible, but the effort will usually so retard the labor 
as to allow of a safe delivery. As soon as the head 
is born, the infant's face should be protected from the 
pressure of the soiled clothes by the hand, and the 
mucus and blood removed from about the mouth and 
eyes with a soft cloth. It will usually make an effort 



260 woman's monitor. 



Minute Directions Continued. 



to cry. If the cord is about the neck it should be 
carefully removed. No undue force should be used 
upon the head to hasten delivery, lest the neck be 
injured. If the shoulders be tardy about passing, 
and especially if any fears are entertained for the 
safety of the child, one or two fingers may be in- 
serted into the most accessible arm-pit, and gentle 
assistance rendered at the time when the expulsive 
effort is made. The head and shoulders being sup- 
ported on the hand, the hips and lower extremities 
will soon follow. 

RESUSCITATION OF THE CHILD. 

If the child fail to breathe, some water or spirits 
may be sprinkled on its breast, or preferable, because 
more efficient, a few rapid slaps or thumps may be 
lightly applied along the spine and over the chest. 
The ribs may be gently pressed upon and then raised, 
one hand being under the shoulders in such a way as 
to cause air to fill the lungs, then turn it over and press 
out the air. These movements should be repeated at 
intervals of a few seconds. If it does not yet cry, and 
the face assume a purple appearance, cut the cord 
some distance from the body, and allow a small quan- 
tity of blood to escape, then secure the cord by liga- 
ture, or knot tied upon it. These efforts should be 
continued for half an hour or more before life should 
be despaired of, if the child was known to have been 



RESUSCITATION OF THE CHILD. 261 

Resuscitation of the Child. 

recently alive or has no appearance of having been 
dead previous to labor. They should usually be con- 
tinued, at least until the arrival of the physician. 
If the child grows cold rapidly, which it is likely to 
do if it does not breathe, warm water in a tub should 
be speedily procured, the child placed in the bath, 
head supported out of the water. If it shows signs 
of life, raise the chest, and, changing its position, 
make pressure as above directed, to assist the respi- 
ratory movements. If not, after some ten minutes in 
the bath, raise the chest out of the water and dash 
upon it a small quantity of cold water, then assist 
any efforts at breathing by artificial inflation, as be- 
fore directed. But do not blow breath into its mouth, 
as is often done, and sometimes by physicians, to 
please the attendants, usually when the child is, in 
the doctor's opinion, certainly dead, for the air blown 
from the lungs is unfit to support life, and will go 
into the stomach and bowels instead of the lungs, or 
at least as readily, and by filling the stomach and 
bowels, it will interfere with the descent of the dia- 
phragm, and this will oppose the feeble efforts of the 
child to breathe; it will also prevent the success of 
artificial respiration. 

I have dwelt thus long upon the resuscitation of 
the child, because I have so often known valuable 
lives lost by want of knowledge and care on the part 
of those whom circumstances forced to assume the 



262 woman's monitor. 



Drections to be followed after the Birth of the Child. 



responsibility of caring for new-born babes. In nat- 
ural labor, the child having breathed freely, the pulsa- 
tions in the cord gradually cease. A stout string 
should then be tied firmly around the cord about 
one and a half inches from the body, run the fingers 
along the cord an inch or two to free it from blood, 
and apply another ligature, then with a pair of sharp 
scissors cut the cord near the first string. Lift the new- 
comer carefully into a blanket, wrap it up, and hand 
it to an assistant. The mother should be allowed to 
rest a few minutes, sometimes half an hour or more. 
The hand placed upon the abdomen will reveal a 
large hard substance in the abdomen. This is the 
womb. If the after-birth has passed down to the 
vagina the womb will not be half so large as in case 
it has not. If the abdomen feels soft the woman is 
probably flowing; lightly grasping the uterus with 
the hand, through the walls of the abdomen, will 
usually suffice to bring on speedy contraction, and 
consequently -hardening of the tumor, which arrests 
the flow. This failing, the hand may bye dipped in 
cold water and suddenly applied to the bowels. This 
seldom fails to speedily cause contraction and arrest 
the flow. If the womb still bleeds, or shows a tend- 
ency to relax and bleed again, after it was firmly con- 
tracted, red raspberry-leaf tea, or tea from the uva ursi 
leaves, or, what is better, some preparation of ergot 
of rye should be given, to secure firm contraction. 



TREATMENT OF THE MOTHER. 263 

Further Directions for the Treatment of the Mother. 

Some pain will soon come on, and the after-birth will 
likely pass into the vagina, from which it may be re- 
moved by gentle traction on the cord. If this does 
not suffice it may be brought down by the finger, 
passed along the cord until the placenta is reached, 
when it may be removed. In making traction upon 
the cord care should be observed not to use sufficient 
force to break it. This is of considerable importance 
if the after-birth still adhere within the womb, as the 
cord should be left as a guide for the accoucheur, 
whose duty it may be to seek and detach it. The 
membranes which are likely to linger should be 
twisted together and gently drawn so as to leave 
no fragments. The application of a soft cloth well 
greased with lard, to absorb the discharges, and the 
careful adjusting of the bandage completes the atten- 
tion due the mother for the present. The woman 
should not be allowed to make any exertion during 
the adjusting of the bandage and arranging of the 
bed; all should be done for her in that quiet, easy way 
every physician and skillful nurse understands. Usu- 
ally a folded napkin or two will be required to apply 
over the lower part of the bowels, to secure a proper 
fit of the bandage. The bandage should be pinned 
from below upward and drawn pretty firmly below, 
but gradually slackened toward the top, that too 
much pressure be not applied to the womb ; the row 
of pins should be placed to one side of the center 



264 woman's monitor. 



Further Directions. 



If the mother is much exhausted a cup of tea or a 
little wine and water may be allowed. Usually all 
that is required is a few hours' rest, the length of 
time depending on the amount of exhaustion, when 
her clothes may be changed and bed arranged by re- 
moving the soiled articles; the nurse should then 
cleanse the soiled parts with a soft cloth and warm 
water, and adjust another well-oiled napkin. This 
dressing and cleansing should be continued at least 
once every day until the lochia cease. The bed 
will require an extra amount of cover, and in cold 
weather the fire should be increased immediately be- 
fore delivery, as the relaxation and diminished animal 
heat after exertion has ceased is favorable for tak- 
ing cold. The care of the child is usually intrusted 
to the nurse. It is not best to use soap in washing 
it, as the application of lard removes the unctuous 
substance upon it better than soap. If soap is 
used, a little Castile or other very mild variety 
should be allowed, and warm water applied with a 
soft sponge or cloth. The cord should be dressed 
with a linen or cotton cloth three or four double, a 
small aperture made for the cord to pass through, and 
so fringed around the edge with scissors as to make 
it fit close around the cord when it is pulled through, 
that no part of the cord, which will soon be putrid ma- 
terial, may touch the child. The aperture should be 
about one-third distant from one end of the cloth; the 



DRESSING THE CHILD. 265 

Directions for Dressing the Child. 

other end will then fold over the cord. This dress- 
ing should be oiled with lard or tallow about the cord 
next to the child, and be secured in position by a 
band pinned in front. This band, as well as the skirt- 
bands, should not be drawn tightly, as they make the 
child cross by interfering with breathing and increasing 
the dangers of rupture, for it should be remembered 
that ten children are ruptured at the groin to one at the 
navel, and a tight bandage across the bowels prevents 
proper expansion. When the child cries every effort 
to fill the lungs in a forcible manner pushes the bow- 
els downward and crowds them into the abdominal 
rings and other openings for the passage of vessels, 
and must thus increase the danger of rupture about 
the groin. In applying the band and also the square 
to little girls, nurses and mothers should remember 
that the bones are soft and plastic, easily bent by any 
force continually applied. The use of tight bandages 
and squares may so compress the hips and bones of 
the pelvis as to cause much suffering and sometimes 
death to the future woman, in consequence of an ill- 
shaped pelvis produced in this way. 

Young infants should be dressed close about the 
neck, and with long sleeves, after the flannel skirts 
are put on, and the bands pinned loosely. The best 
possible dress for an infant is a Avoolen wrapper, with 
a drawing string to bring it up to the neck and sleeves 
to the hand. This allows of the greatest freedom of 

23 



266 woman's monitor. 



Proper Temperature, Clothing, Nursing, etc. 



motion, and assists to secure that equitable temper- 
ature so essential to the babe's health and comfort. 
Thousands of infants are kept so cold as to rendei 
them cross and miserable. It should be remembered 
they have just merged from a habitation maintained 
uniformly at blood-heat, or 98° of the Fahrenheit 
scale. A room is considered very comfortably warm 
at 70°. Now this difference of 28° is partly sup- 
plied by the consumption of oxygen in the infant's 
lungs ; but digestion and assimilation not being per- 
fectly established for some days, it is evident the 
infant requires much cover, and great care as to the 
temperature of the apartment, or it will be cross and 
fretful. The child should be put to the breast early, 
for several reasons : first, it encourages the develop- 
ment of secretion on the part of the breast ; second, 
there is usually present a small quantity of secretion, 
which is the natural purgative for the child, neces- 
sary to clear its bowels of the secretions which have 
accumulated during its intra-uterine life ; third, in 
consequence of that intimate sympathy which exists 
between the breasts and the womb. The application 
of the infant to the breast causes firmer contraction 
of the womb, thus checking any unusual tendency to 
flow, also expelling retained blood-clots, which might 
keep up after-pains or excite inflammation. The 
child should not be fed unless the milk is very tardy 
in appearing. When allowed the bottle, milk from a 



FEEDING THE CHILD. 267 



Feeding the Child on Cow's Milk. 



young cow recently fresh is to be preferred. Great 
care should be observed that she is not fed on pump- 
kins with the seeds, or turnips, and especially on oil- 
cake meal. If the latter is fed in any considerable 
quantity, it will usually soon disturb the stomach and 
bowels of the child. This often will kill the child, 
if the milk from a cow fed on oil-cake is not stopped. 
Children before the period of the first dentition re- 
quire nothing but milk; if the mother is in good 
health, and breasts all right, she should afford all that 
is demanded. If cow's milk is used, it should be 
made one-third water, and a little white sugar added, 
just enough to be perceptible to the taste, and the 
bottle should be carefully cleansed several times 
daily, that no taint of sour milk may be present to 
disturb the stomach of the child. The practice prev- 
alent in some families of feeding little infants a small 
quantity of various articles can not be too severely 
condemned, as thousands have their digestive systems 
ruined in this way during the tender years of infancy. 
Mothers should nurse their own children, unless some 
physical inability exists, except those who are scrof- 
ulous, consumptive, or have cancer, secondary syph- 
ilis, or like disease. In such cases nursing, if not 
protracted too long, sometimes benefits the mother, 
but it is at the expense of the child, whose hered- 
itary predispositions to disease must be fostered by 
deriving nutriment during the period of its earliest 



268 woman's monitor. 



Wet-Nurse— The Bottle— The Cradle. 



development from a source that is tainted with the 
debris of a decaying and diseased system. The best 
plan is for such to secure, if possible, a perfectly 
healthy wet-nurse, whose mental and moral forces are 
all sound. If such can not be procured, we prefer a 
bottle used under the fostering care of the mother; 
but not so in case she is seriously diseased ; for the 
exhalations of her breath, and her diseased electro- 
magnetic forces, must seriously impress the tender 
child. Such should be trusted, even with their 
bottle, to other hands, provided it is possible they 
can be fostered by one who is perfectly healthy. 

These facts are worth remembering, if you value 
the health and look to the future well-being of your 
children. We are of the opinion that it is wrong to 
rock infants to sleep ; rocking produces a sort of diz- 
ziness that is not conducive to sound, healthy sleep, 
and the child rocked to sleep is likely to awake as 
soon as the cradle stops. Little infants are some- 
times seriously injured by being set up too soon and 
allowed to be too early upon their feet, especially 
when the bones are unusually soft and yielding. The 
medicinal treatment of such cases has been men- 
tioned in the article on rickets. Indiscretions in this 
respect are likely to cause distortion of the legs, 
injury to the feet and ankles, also disease and curv- 
ature of the spine. 



DIRECTIONS TO THE MOTHER. 269 

Care of the Mother after Confinement, After-Pains, etc. 

DIRECTIONS TO THE MOTHER. 

During the first few weeks following delivery ex- 
treme care on the part of the female is necessary, 
that she may not take cold, or in any other manner 
interfere with that process which is immediately set 
up, to restore the uterine system to its normal con- 
dition. The lochial discharge will continue for a few 
days, and is a drainage from the part of the womb 
where the plaefenta was attached. If the womb has 
not contracted firmly and regularly, a clot of blood is 
likely to remain in its cavity for some time. The 
efforts of the womb to expel such clots cause pains ; 
these are known as after-pains. They will usually 
cease when the child is applied to the breast, as a 
severe pain will then likely expel the clot. In some 
cases after-pains continue a long time, and with such 
severity as to prostrate the patient. Such cases are 
readily relieved by a few drops of laudanum, or a 
powder containing one grain of pulverized opium and 
two of camphor, repeated, if necessary, in three or 
four hours. It must be borne in mind that at the 
close of labors the womb is many times larger than 
before impregnation ; vessels, nerves, and all its struct- 
ure, have enlarged gradually, as the maternal period 
advanced. It is now too heavy to be supported by 
its ligaments. If a woman sit up, or arise upon her 
feet, even for a short time, it will sink low into the 



270 woman's monitor. 



Length of Time to Remain in Bed. 



pelvis, putting its supporting ligament on the stretch ; 
hence it is apparent that those who do not arise too 
soon are less likely to be troubled with uterine dis- 
placements, and such female weakness as arises from 
that cause. 

The period that must elapse before the womb has 
been reduced by the action of the absorbents to its 
normal size, will depend upon the care exercised by 
the lady and nurse. If the patient remain quietly in 
bed, her diet be light, and of such a quality as not to 
excite fever, if her bowels are kept regular, and no 
cold is taken, so that the vital functions of the body 
and mind are performed in a healthy manner, she 
may be allowed to sit up for a short time at the end 
of ten days, but should lie down as soon as a sense 
of fatigue overtakes her. At the end of three weeks 
she may be allowed to move about the room and sit 
up longer at a time each day; this, within certain 
limits, strengthens the support of the uterine system 
by exercise, and the effort may be repeated at in- 
tervals several times daily, until at the end of four 
weeks the lady may leave her room, but should for 
four weeks more lie down on feeling a sense of fatigue, 
or weight across the loins, to enable the uterine liga- 
ments to secure rest. That many women of firm 
health arise much earlier, and exercise less care in 
arising, I well know; but all such are more or less 
injured, and where one escapes serious injury, many 



DANGERS TO THE MOTHER. 271 

The Results of too Great Haste. 

are rendered miserable, or destroyed by the con- 
sequences of such indiscretion after confinement. 
Suppose a cold is taken, or the woman suffer from 
some form of child-bed fever, or from milk abscess, or 
other form of broken breasts. The powers of nature 
are arrested in their process of repair, the womb be- 
comes swollen, and, after the disease is subdued, the 
swollen and enlarged womb returns very slowly to its 
non-pregnant size. Of course the time required be- 
fore the lady can safely be about the house must be 
protracted until disease is subdued, and the swelling 
caused by the cold or inflammation has passed away. 
It requires much more time for a womb enlarged by 
inflammation, and retarded in its proper retrograde 
movement, to return to its non-pregnant size than it 
would have done if it had not been inflamed. You 
will observe I included broken breasts, and all forms 
of mammary abscess, in the list of causes which re- 
tard recovery. The reason will be apparent : first, 
the sympathy which exists between the breast and 
womb prevents the proper action of the absorbing 
vessels by keeping the parts congested ; second, the 
loss of rest, and debility from suffering, relaxes the 
system, and diminishes the sustaining power of the 
uterine ligaments. It is in this manner that inflam- 
mation and abscess of the breast are a source of pro- 
lapsus and other uterine disease. 

There appears to be a disposition among women, 



272 woman's monitor. 



Tendency in the Country Districts to get up too soon. 



especially in the rural districts, to take pride in get- 
ting up soon, rather than in getting up free from dis- 
ease, and we fear physicians, who should know better, 
foster this idea to some extent, because ignorance of 
the consequence may induce a feeling in the popular 
mind that extra skill in managing such cases enables 
the patient of some doctors to be around sooner than 
others. Nothing is more erroneous, nothing could be 
more destructive to the future well-being of mothers 
thus encouraged to arise too soon. A fearful respon- 
sibility rests upon the adviser of the woman who is 
encouraged to carelessness at such critical periods, as 
a single error at such times may be fatal to life, or 
cause its unhappy victim to drag out a life of wretch- 
edness pitiful to contemplate. 

TIME TO GIVE PHYSIC. 

About the third day after confinement it will usu- 
ally be proper to give a light dose of castor-oil or 
citrate of magnesia. If the lady is of full habit and 
the milk fever runs high, or the breasts are painfully 
distended, small doses of Epsom salts repeated every 
four hours answer very well, but this should not be 
employed for persons who are feeble, relaxed, or 
anaemic. If the milk fever is developed earlier 
than the third day the bowels should be moved 
earlier. 



THE NIPPLES. 273 



Treatment for Sore Nipples. 



THE NIPPLES 

are sometimes very painful, from cracks, blisters, or 
other forms of sore. The best method of preventing 
these troubles has already been alluded to. In addi- 
tion to what has been said, we would direct that the 
$hild should not be allowed to draw the breast long 
at a time when it is empty, and that the parts be 
kept dry. They should be anointed after nursing 
with an ointment made by boiling a small quantity 
of starch in glycerine, the amount depending on the 
desired density of the ointment, usually one part of 
pulverized starch to three of glycerine by measure. 
To one ounce of this -ointment twenty grains of tan- 
nic acid and five grains of morphia may be added if 
the parts discharge much or are very painful. When 
the morphia is used care should be observed to re- 
move the ointment before nursing the child. In some 
cases of abrasion collodion is an excellent application, 
yet it only answers well when the trouble is very 
superficial. Much suffering may be prevented by 
allowing the child to nurse through a prepared heifer's 
teat or a gum-elastic shield, to be had of any drug 
dealer. The glass nipple shield should be worn to 
protect the parts from the pressure of the clothing 
and to receive any milk that may escape. It often 
happens that the nipples are ruined by the injudicious 
use of the breast-pump; this should only be applied 
by skillful hands. 



274 woman's monitor. 



Causes and Treatment of Inflammation of the Breast. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE BREAST AND ABSCESS 

are often caused by obstruction to one or more of the 
little milk vessels leading from the gland to the nip- 
ple. This may be the result of injury from a fall, or 
blow, or the pressure of corsets or dress-stays. It is 
often produced by previous inflammation, causing de- 
posits which obstruct the milk-ducts. They may also 
be obstructed by inspissated secretion; the milk not 
finding its way out distends that part of the breast 
which should be relieved by discharge through the 
obstructed tubes. This causes a painful, hard swell- 
ing, familiarly known as a cake in the breast. It is 
evident that one of three things must happen — either 
the obstruction to the flow of milk must be removed, 
the secretion stopped in that part of the breast, or the 
distension must lead to inflammation and abscess. In 
many cases it may be quite impossible to know the 
real cause of obstruction in the milk-ducts. For this 
reason it would be w T ell in all cases to pursue the 
course best calculated to remove obstruction from in- 
spissated secretion. This is accomplished as follows: 
Let the nurse apply one hand so as to support the 
breast on the opposite side from the place where there 
is reason to suppose the obstruction exists, then dip 
the other hand into hot water and draw it lightly 
over the breast in the direction of the nipple ; keep 
up the rubbing, occasionally dipping the hand into 



INFLAMMATION OF THE BREAST AND ABSCESS. 275 

Further Treatment. 

the water as it gets dry. The water acts as a warm 
relaxing application, and prevents the hand from 
sticking, so as to injure the parts by friction. The 
breast will usually be found to become progressively 
more tolerant of pressure. This should be continued 
perseveringly for half an hour at a time if necessary, 
gradually increasing the pressure as it is better borne. 
If the trouble is from inspissated material in the milk- 
ducts, as it is in a large majority of cases, you will be 
rewarded for your trouble by the appearance of from 
one to a dozen little gummy threads shooting out of 
the relaxed milk-tubes, having been forced along by 
the rubbing. This is usually followed by a free flow 
of milk from the part and relief is almost immediate. 
If the breast is too full, hot and painful, this method, 
assisted by gentle pressure, usually will cause the milk 
to flow and relieve the breast if perseveringly em- 
ployed, and in a less painful manner than can be done 
with any breast-pump with which I am acquainted. 
If a proper effort fails to relieve the obstruction an 
effort may be made to arrest the inflammation and 
dry up the milk in that part of the breast. This 
should consist in the application of tincture of cam- 
phor or a plaster of soft extract of belladona, a light 
dry diet, and small doses of salts or senna, repeated 
so as to keep the bowels loose. When the progress 
of the case renders it certain that purulent matter 
is collecting, the sooner the lance is used the better. 



276 woman's monitor. 



Ignorant and Designing Doctors. 



The tension is removed by lancing, and serious destruc- 
tion of parts prevented, as well as much suffering dur- 
ing the period it would have required for the pus to 
make its way to the surface, and it is plain that the 
less destruction of the tissue the less time will be 
required for nature to repair the damage. The above 
remarks with reference to lancing will apply to every 
form of abscess of the breast. All forms of inflam- 
mation of the breast require a supporting bandage, 
so arranged that the weight of the inflamed organ 
shall be prevented from dragging upon diseased ves- 
sels and nerves. The bandage should pass around 
the neck and below the breast, so as to give gentle 
support. 

MEDDLESOME MIDWIFERY 

has been referred to, and some abuses practiced by 
many accoucheurs, both male and female, have been 
mentioned. But many more are deserving of notice. 
It is no uncommon thing for an ignorant or designing 
medical attendant to leave the impression upon the 
mind of a patient, that she has barely escaped with 
her life, and that she will certainly die if again preg- 
nant, when in reality she was not in the least danger 
in her first confinement; and time has proved that the 
fears which often well-nigh ruin both the mind and 
body of the mother, and through her psychological 
forces made a life-long impression upon her child, 



MEDDLESOME MIDWIFERY. 277 

Too Great Attention by the Physician. 

rendering it fretful, nervous, and sometimes epileptic, 
was in reality but the fulminating of gross ignorance 
on the part of her attendant. Mothers should re- 
ceive such statements with much allowance, as they 
are nearly always false. It is a prevalent notion in 
the country that the accoucheur should be continually 
engaged during labor rendering assistance. This is 
not true if the labor is natural. The doctor had bet- 
ter be in an adjoining room, as his presence often em- 
barrasses his patient, and all notion that any thing he 
can do to assist in a natural labor during all but the 
terminating period is perfectly absurd. He may suc- 
ceed in producing much dryness and tenderness of 
the parts by injudicious handling, and thus protract 
the labor, and cause the poor woman much unneces- 
sary suffering. Under the specious pretext of assist- 
ing, he may lay the foundation for serious vaginal 
disease; but to suppose any thing he could do, if 
the position of the child is normal, until it becomes 
necessary to support the perineum, could benefit his 
patient, is evidence of ignorance deplorable indeed. 
It is true that tardy pains may be rendered more act- 
ive by rupturing the membranes, and at times it may 
be proper to give ergot, to increase uterine activity 
when it is tardy, but this should be done with great 
caution. Many children are lost in the hands of men 
who should know better, by the use of this drug. 
May not this innocent blood be required at their 



278 WOMAN S MONITOR. 

Forcing Labor. 

hands? Ergot and like forcing remedies secure 
almost constant activity of the uterus — a kind of 
tonic spasm. It is therefore useful where there is 
a tendency to flow in the interval of pains, caused by 
a partially detached after-birth, and where there is a 
known tendency to floodings after delivery, as it se- 
cures firmer contraction. For the same reason that 
it should be given in those cases to avert dangerous 
floodings, it should be withheld in ordinary labors, 
and where the rigidity of parts points to a tedious 
labor. The almost constant pain keeps the muscles 
rigid, and thus expels the blood from the vessels 
of the limbs and great muscles generally. This 
increases the amount necessarily thrown upon the 
heart, lungs, and brain, thus tending to produce con- 
vulsions and disease of the heart or lungs; besides, 
the constant pressure upon the child, forcing it to 
accommodate itself too rapidly to the shape of the 
pelvis, may injure its brain, or it may die from press- 
ure upon the cord, when it happens to lie between 
the womb and some hard portion of the child. To 
these evils may be added the increased soreness of 
the uterus and external muscles of the mother, from 
the rapid distension which may have partly ruptured, 
sometimes divided the structure, which was not al- 
lowed time for gradual relaxation. 



CHLOROFORM. 279 



When to use Chloroform in Labor. 



CHLOROFORM. 

The indiscriminate use of this agent we are con- 
strained to consider unwarranted. We know much 
difference of opinion exists among professional men 
of acknowledged ability with reference to the use 
of chloroform in labor. Some advocate its use in 
almost every case, others condemn it altogether. A 
third party use it to fulfill certain indications, in cases 
of abnormal labor, and to relieve the pain incidental 
to severe operations. I believe these are right. If 
the patient is but partly under the influence of the 
drug it produces a species of intoxication, and the 
patient worries more and I think weakens faster than 
when chloroform is not given. When used to the 
extent of complete anaesthesia it diminishes the 
force of the pains. If the pelvis is small in pro- 
portion to the size of the head, or the bones of the 
head are unusually developed, leaving the openings 
or fontanel small, much force will be required to com- 
pel the head to assume the shape necessary to in- 
sure its passage through the pelvis. This force being 
diminished labor must be protracted by chloroform. 
It will be apparent that the relaxing influence of 
chloroform is very useful where a rigid, unyielding 
condition of the neck of the womb or external 
muscles resist the progress of the labor. It acts by 
retarding the force of the pains, thus diminishing the 



280 woman's monitor. 



Avoid Hobbyists. Diet. 

danger of rupture of the muscular fibers from too 
rapid distension, also by relaxing the muscles, thus 
facilitating labor by diminishing the resistance offered. 
It must be apparent to every unprejudiced observer 
that the use of all drugs should be left to the judg- 
ment of the attending accoucheur, who alone is sup- 
posed to know the necessities of each individual case, 
and we would counsel submission to his judgment, 
except where it is known he is a hobbyist, and prone 
to go to extremes in support of particular modes of 
practice. Such physicians it is safest for patients to 
avoid. 

DIET OF MOTHERS DURING NURSING 

is a matter of no inconsiderable importance. Some 
persons can eat and properly digest almost any thing 
in common use, others find difficulty in digesting cer- 
tain articles. Careful observation will enable one to 
learn what disagrees, and such articles should be 
avoided, because any thing that disturbs the diges- 
tion of the mother is sure to impart deleterious prop- 
erties to the milk, and thus injure the babe. During 
the four weeks after confinement the diet should be 
restricted to panada, toast and tea, light bread pud- 
dings, bread and butter, with fruits, or other light 
diet; but after that period only care, as above re- 
marked, will be necessary. The influence of the 
mind of the mother over the quality of the mam- 



NURSING AND FEEDING. 281 

Nursing and Feeding the Child. 

mary secretion is well established, and many cases 
are on record where a violent fit of anger or other 
terrible mental emotion has been followed by convul- 
sions or other severe disease in the child, and re- 
sulted in death. If the child's bowels are relaxed 
the mother should be spare in her diet; if the child 
is constipated let her use fruits in abundance, with a 
liquid diet, as soups, to secure a more laxative quality 
in the milk. These means failing, a few tea-spoonfuls 
of the juice from stewed prunes may be given to re- 
move constipation, and a small quantity of sirup of 
blackberrv-root or extract of cranebill, to control 
diarrhea. But diarrhea usually results from injudi- 
cious feeding of the child. The well-being of the in- 
fant must depend in no small degree upon the care and 
judgment exercised in 

NURSING AND FEEDING 

it, and it often happens that the quantity is more at 
fault than the quality of the food. If a child is sup- 
posed to be hungry, and is nursed or fed every time 
it is cross or fretful, it will likely continue cross or 
become positively ill. If the mother has even tol- 
erable health her milk is the proper aliment for her 
child, not only during tender infancy, but for several 
months. The quality of the milk alters with the ad- 
vancing age of the child, becoming more rich in casein, 
thus adapting it to the increasing demands of the 

24 



282 woman's monitor. 



Analysis of Human Milk. 



growing child. We give the mean of eighty-nine an- 
alyses of human milk by MM. Vernois and Bec- 
querel, which yielded the following results. It has 
a specific gravity of 1,032.67, and is composed of 

Water 889.08 

Solid matters 110.92 

These solid constituents are made up of 

Sugar 43.64 

Casein and extractive matter 39.24 

Butter 26.66 

Incombustible salts 1.38 

110.92 

Says Dr. West, from whose excellent work on children 
we draw the above table : "How small must be the ef- 
fort needed to effect the assimilation of this fluid ! The 
chief of its solid constituents, the casein, differs little 
if at all from the albumen of the blood, while in com- 
bination with it is a considerable quantity of phos- 
phate of lime, a salt that enters largely into the 
composition of the bones. Among its other compo- 
nents we find butter and sugar, the former of which 
probably contributes to the formation of fat, that is 
so abundantly deposited in the healthy infant, while 
the remainder of it supplies material for the genera- 
tion of heat, by being resolved together with the 
sugar into its ultimate elements of carbonic acid and 
water. While we advocate mothers nursing their 
own children, and also the propriety of securing wet- 
nurses, under circumstances of necessity, we would 



INDIGESTION. 283 



Changing Nurslings. Indigestion. 

caution against a practice quite prevalent at parties 
and like gatherings in the rural districts, of mothers 
changing nurslings and allowing strange babes to 
have the breast. First, the change of milk may in- 
jure the babe ; second, the cases are not uncommon 
where syphilis has been communicated in this way, 
where the presence pf the subtile poison was least 
suspected by any but the infected party, sometimes 
not by them." 

INDIGESTION, 

among infants, is the cause of most of those severe 
bowel affections that afflict them, causing the horrible 
emaciation familiarly known among the people in the 
rural districts as "taking off," a trouble for which 
almost every remedy is tried except the right one- 
care in diet. The child is cross, acts as though it 
was hungry, because its stomach feels uneasy; it is 
given the bottle or the breast, gorges ks stomach, 
already overloaded, the milk is either ejected by 
vomiting, or sours, causing irritation of the stomach, 
which is too feeble to digest the amount forced upon 
it; the stomach passes the undigested mass into the 
bowels, where it ferments, causing cholera infantum, 
or diarrhea, with those ' offensive stools so often no- 
ticed by those in charge of sick infants. It is a 
common practice under such circumstances to feed 
the baby stronger food, assuming that the starved 



284 woman's monitor. 



Treatment for Indigestion. 



appearance of the child indicates that its food is not 
sufficiently nutritious. No error could be more fatal 
to the poor babe; it is not the amount of food put 
upon the stomach, but the amount well digested, from 
which the child may draw nutriment to make new 
blood, that determines the amount of material it 
really receives into its system to support its failing 
vital force. It is true healthy breast-milk is digested 
with wonderful rapidity; the child may fill its stom- 
ach to distension, and in two or three hours be ready 
for another meal. Usually the babe should not be 
nursed oftener than once in three to four hours. As 
it grows older the distance between feedings may be 
increased ; for the amount of the casein in the milk 
increases. One meal should not follow another so 
quickly as to prevent proper digestion of the one that 
has possession of the stomach. 

' If it becomes evident that the child is failing in 
flesh for the want of proper digestion, its bowels 
should be cleared of the sour milk with a small quan- 
tity of castor-oil, or tea-spoonful doses of aromatic 
sirup of rhubarb, and but a very small quantity of 
the milk allowed at intervals of at least three hours, 
gradually increasing the quantity as the returning 
power of digestion appears to warrant. Very small 
doses of pepsin three times daily appear to assist 
digestion in some cases. A small piece of rennet, 
such is is used by cheese-makers, if fresh, or not too 



THE SOOTHING SIRUPS. 285 

Do not give Soothing Sirups. 

salt, may be put into a teacup full of boiling water, 
and tea-spoonful doses may be given after nursing. 
This is a very efficient means of using pepsin. In- 
digestion is always the result of improper methods 
of feeding, or improper food, and diarrhea is usually 
the signal of indigestion, and in tender infants will, 
if taken early, yield to cleansing the bowels, as above 
directed, and proper care in diet. When infants cry 
from colic, and are restless from indigestion, too many 
mothers resort to laudanum, paregoric, or one of the 
soothing sirups which are advertised all over the 
country. 

Mothers ! if you have the well-being of your little 
ones at heart do not give 

THE SOOTHING SIRUPS. 

I know it is convenient to do so at times; but 
when a child is sick enough to take such powerful 
drugs, you need the advice of a physician, who, if an 
intelligent and conscientious man, will resort to such 
stupefying poisons only to remove danger in extreme 
cases — certainly not habitually to keep the child 
quiet. They are all dangerous, under whatever de- 
ceptive name they may veil their baneful poison, and 
hundreds of children die from their habitual use, vic- 
tims of ignorance on the part of mothers, and decep- 
tive advertisements on the part of heartless venders, 
at whose hands the blood of thousands of murdered 



286 woman's monitor. 



Again we say, Avoid Soothing Sirups. 



innocents will be required. But the bad effects of 
these narcotics are not alone manifest in the number 
killed outright. Every educated physician knows 
that convulsions are often produced from slight causes 
in children long accustomed to such medicines, be- 
sides the loss of bodily and mental power, epilepsy 
and insanity, which are more likely to attack in after 
life those whose early months or years were spent 
under the depressing influence of potent drugs. Nay, 
more ; they are apt to stamp upon the delicate nature 
of the child a craving for morbid stimulant, which in 
after years is gratified in opium eating, excessive use 
of tobacco, or alcoholic liquors. It will not do to 
point to individual instances of escape from these 
terrible penalties of violated law. Science emphat- 
ically declares that the reasons upon which these 
statements are founded are based upon laws of nature 
that must make exceptions rare, while the great, ap- 
palling fact, that they are doing much to deteriorate 
the race, stands out in bold relief. Better that the 
child should cry when fretful than sleep with its 
brain congested with opium, which is the anodyne base 
of all forms of soothing sirups. Better have a troub- 
lesome diarrhea, if overfed so as to produce such 
trouble, than to have the irritating contents of the 
bowels locked up there with narcotics, until their 
mucous surface is corroded by the fermenting mass, 
and incurable disease produced. 



SORE MOUTH. 287 



Causes and Treatment of Sore Mouth. 



SORE MOUTH. 

We find several varieties of this trouble occurring 
in infancy. Some are contagious ; others arise from 
indigestion on the part of the child, imperfect assim- 
ilation of food on the part of the nurse, or some 
morbid constitutional condition present in the mother, 
and inherited by the child. We can not spare space 
to describe the various forms of this disease, only to 
give a few general directions. If the mother is re- 
laxed, bilious, or under the influence of malaria, she 
should take some mild alterative, as small doses of 
leptandrin, or extract of dandelion, three times daily; 
also tincture of iron, twenty drops, in a wineglass full 
of water, three times daily, and small doses of qui- 
nine, or some preparation of bark, as tea-spoonful 
doses of the compound tincture. The child should 
have its bowels cleared, and its diet should be care- 
fully regulated. A physician should prescribe all 
medicines farther than this for the infant, except the 
local applications to the mouth. A tea of sage and 
privey, sweetened with honey, is a common domestic 
remedy ; also a weak tea of the golden seal root. We 
are much in the habit of using chlorate of potassa, a 
saturated solution in cold water. A tea-spoonful of this 
may be put in the child's mouth every hour or two, 
and it may swallow it. It should be so put into, the 
mouth as to wet the surface as much as possible. If 



288 woman's monitor. 



When to Wean, etc. 



the gums are very sore, and foul with matter, much 
relief may be obtained by washing freely several 
times daily, with a solution of crystals of carbolic 
acid two grains to the ounce of water; also with a 
weak solution of table salt. A few grains of borax 
to the ounce of water, sweetened with loaf sugar, 
answers well in some cases. 

WEANING. 

The proper age may be stated at one year, and the 
proper time in the Spring or Fall. If the mother is 
menstruating, is pregnant, or from any other cause it 
is apparent in the Spring that she can not nurse until 
Fall, she should wean, though the child is some months 
short of one year old, as the dangers to the child of 
weaning during the Summer months are largely in- 
creased. When it becomes necessary to wean before 
the child has become accustomed to a diet of mixed 
food, and especially if the necessity occur in Summer, 
great care will be necessary in the choice of the char- 
acter and quantity of food, lest the child suffer from 
cholera morbus, diarrhoea, or other bowel affections. 
Proper intervals of feeding should be most punctually 
observed, that it may not suffer long from a sense of 
hunger, and yet that one meal may not be introduced 
so soon as to disturb the digestion of the one that 
had preceded it. But little variety should be set 
before the child. Milk, with boiled rice, soft boiled 



VACCINATION. 289 



Food for ihe Newly Weaned Infant. 



eggs, roasted potatoes, with milk, oat-meal gruel, 
simple meat broths, with bread or crackers, fowls, 
plain, boiled or roasted, plain rice or bread puddings, 
and such vegetables as potatoes, carrots, beets, and 
turnips, in moderate quantities, may be allowed ; not 
at first, of course, in great variety, but gradually 
adding to the list of articles as the child advances in 
age, and allowing but little variety at a time. Cold 
water or milk should, for obvious reasons, be the only 
drink ; when accustomed to their use they w T ill crave 
no other drink. Salt and high-seasoned dishes, fat 
gravies, and all richly cooked food, should be with- 
held, especially pies, pastries, and sweet cakes. 
Mothers who have nursed eight to twelve months, 
and discover pain in the back, and such other symp- 
toms as denote a tendency to menstruate, should 
wean immediately, if the season at all permit, as 
injury to the mother, and ofttimes sickness of the 
child, results from persistence in nursing under such 
circumstances. 

VACCINATION. 

This important operation is too often neglected or 
imperfectly performed, and frequently syphilis or 
other disease is introduced with the vaccine virus. 
No one but a physician should vaccinate, and the pus- 
tule should be inspected by the medical man at the 
end of ten days to make certain that the disease was 

25 



290 woman's monitor. 



Vaccination. 



correctly received. The failures of vaccination to pro- 
tect have been mostly owing to negligence in this 
respect. We believe revaccination is often necessary, 
and that persons traveling abroad or otherwise exposed 
are wise to revaccinate. Infants should be vaccinated 
when about four months old, but the prevalence of 
small-pox or the necessity for making a long journey 
where the child would be exposed to the dangers of 
contagion, would justify vaccinating much earlier. 
The prevalence of erysipelas, diphtheria, scarlet fe- 
ver, or like epidemics, would deter us from hurrying 
children under the influence of the virus, except 
where parties are unusually exposed to small-pox. 
Most commonly but one vesicle is developed, but oc- 
casionally several small vesicles appear in the vicin- 
ity of the point of insertion. 

COURSE OF VACCINE PUSTULE. 

On the third day after the insertion of the matter 
there appears at the point of insertion a red elevation, 
which on the fourth day is surrounded by a narrow, 
inflamed base; on the fifth day the skin is elevated 
into a pearl-colored vesicle, filled with a small quan- 
tity of transparent fluid. The form of the vesicle 
depends on the manner of inserting the virus. It 
continues to enlarge in circumference but not in ele- 
vation until the eighth day, when it is at its height, 
with a pit in the center. Its margins are then red 



COURSE OF VACCINE PUSTULE. 291 

Signs of Effectual Vaccination. 

and prominent, and contain some fluid. Between the 
eighth and ninth days some fever usually occurs; the 
neighboring glands are usually swollen and painful. 
Lassitude and drowsiness with slight creeping chills 
alternate with flushes of fever. On the tenth day 
the circle that surrounds the vesicle is broader and 
of a bright-red color. By the eleventh day the de- 
pressed center of the vesicle begins to assume a dark 
hue, and this darkness gradually extends toward the 
edge of the sore. By the fourteenth day the entire 
surface of the scab is dark brown. By degrees this 
becomes hard and separates from the eighteenth to 
the twenty-fifth day. The scar is not smooth, but 
marked with indentations. The above is an outline 
of the progress of the true vesicle. It should be 
carefully protected from rupture or injury during its 
progress. The progress of the disease is subject to 
considerable variation, but any decided variation 
should excite suspicion that the disease was not 
genuine, and the patient but imperfectly if at all pro- 
tected. Many persons suppose the disease must have 
been genuine if the arm was very sore. This is often 
a mistake, leading to exposure, unprotected, and pos- 
sibly to fatal results. I have been particular to give 
the above directions as to vaccination, because I 
have observed the want of care among parents with 
regard to this important matter; and those who 
neglect or refuse to avail themselves of this means 



292 woman's monitor. 



Directions for Vaccinating. Teething 

of protection from loathsome disease should be com- 
pelled by law to be vaccinated at public expense as 
a means of safety to the public. This is a duty of 
government for the protection of children, whose des- 
tiny is yet within the control of parents or guardians. 
For the benefit of those who may not be able to se- 
cure the services of a physician we add, use no mat- 
ter but such as is known to be recently from the cow, 
and has not passed through scrofulous or diseased 
children. Crush a small quantity on a piece of glass, 
moisten with pure water, put a drop of the matter on 
the arm and scratch or pick through the matter sev- 
eral little wounds just through the skin, only suffi- 
cient to start an appearance of blood. Protect the 
wound by a soft rag or a piece of adhesive plaster, to 
prevent the child from scratching the sore. 

TEETHING. 

The first dentition usually commences at about the 
sixth month. The period is subject to considerable 
variation. There is in healthy children considerable 
variation as to the order in which the teeth appear. 
Those who develop their teeth at the usual time and 
in the usual order are less likely to suffer severely. 
The lower teeth appear two or three months before 
the upper. The twenty milk-teeth usually appear in 
the following order: 



TEETHING. 293 



The Order in which the Teeth Appear. 



First. The two middle front teeth, between the 
fourth and fifth months. 

Second. The four upper front teeth appear; first 
the central, then the two lateral incisors, between the 
eighth and tenth months. 

Third. Between the twelfth and sixteenth months 
six teeth appear nearly at once. They are, first, the 
two front grinding teeth, in the upper jaw; next, 
the two lower front teeth, by the side of the two 
already through, and lastly the two front grinders, of 
the lower jaw. 

Fourth. Between the eighteenth and twenty-fourth 
months the child cuts its stomach and eye-teeth, as 
they are usually called. 

Fifth. The second four grinders make their ap- 
pearance between the thirtieth and thirty-sixth 
months. 

This concludes the first dentition. Sometimes chil- 
dren have already developed two or more teeth at 
birth, and cases are on record of adults who never cut 
any teeth. The permanent teeth begin to appear at 
about the fifth year, commencing with the front grind- 
ers. Between the fifth and tenth years all the front 
teeth appear. Before the twelfth year the canines 
have been added, also the second grinders; and be- 
tween the sixteenth and twenty-fourth years the four 
wisdom teeth complete the second dentition. 



294 woman's monitor. 



Treatment During Teething. 



THE DANGERS OF TEETHING 

arise from a peculiar irritability of the nervous sys- 
tem, that appears to prevail at that period, rendering 
the infant more liable to spasmodic affections and 
bowel diseases. When the gums are hot, painful, 
and swollen they should be lanced, not across the 
crown of the tooth, as is usually done, but perpen- 
dicular with the gums, in the direction of the length 
of the tooth, so as to relieve the tension by pretty 
free bleeding. This is often followed by prompt re- 
lief, the extreme restlessness giving place to profound 
sleep. We believe the difficulties of dentition some- 
times arise from the want of a sufficient amount of 
the elements which make teeth and bone, in the 
blood, which may be supplied by small doses of the 
sirup of the phosphates of soda, potassa, iron, and 
lime. A very eligible preparation is sold in the 
drug-stores, sometimes called chemical food. If this 
is not readily procured take 

R Phosp. iron grs. 4 

Phosphate lime " xx 

Sirup simplex 3 iv 

Mix. Shake before using, and give from a half to one 
tea-spoonful three times daily after eating or nursing. 

The second dentition usually requires but little care, 
except the timely removal of such milk-teeth as 
may be causing the new tooth to come in a bad posi- 
tion. Some children of feeble, rickety habit may re- 



RICKETS. 295 



Proper Food. Rickets. 

quire medicine as above directed, increasing the dose 
to suit the age. It will secure better texture to the 
teeth and bones. Brown bread, however, will supply 
these with all the phosphates necessary, and where 
fresh meat can not be procured it is cruel to the 
young to bolt out that part of the wheat most needed 
in their bread and give it to the beast. 



RICKETS 

is a soft condition of the bones, or some of them, 
which allows them to bend under the weight, often 
causing deformity among children. Such deformity 
should always be prevented. If a child does not ap- 
pear strong in its back, nurse it carefully, and keep it 
strictly in a horizontal position, unless you are giving 
it proper support with the hands. You should rub 
and move it much, to give abundant exercise, moving 
every muscle, for a short time, several times daily. 
Do not allow such to sit up, to creep, or stand early. 
Great care, and the use of the phosphates of lime 
and iron, will usually suffice for a cure. The same 
preparation recommended to harden the teeth may be 
used ; the quantity of the phosphate of iron and lime 
may be considerably increased. 

• LUNG FEVER. 

This disease, usually called by physicians pneu- 
monia, is very common in infancy and childhood, and 



296 woman's monitor. 



Inflammation of the Lungs, Symptoms, etc. 



frequently associated with hooping-cough or measles — 
so is bronchitis — and either may prove fatal. 

We introduce these remarks to call attention to the 
symptoms of inflammation of the lungs, because we 
frequently find children with one lung utterly ruined, 
whose parents, not aware of the nature of the case, 
supposed the child simply had a bad cold. They only 
consult a physician when it is apparent that some 
serious and lasting trouble exists. Of course it is too 
late then to do more than assist Nature to repair the 
injury. Too often the health is in this way perma- 
nently impaired. The symptoms of lung fever, or 
inflammation of the lungs, may come on gradually, or 
develop in the course of a bronchitis. The fever is 
usually worse in the afternoon, with quick breathing, 
and short, dry, hacking cough. This may be so 
trifling as scarcely to attract notice. Often a red 
spot will appear on one or both cheeks; in some cases 
a dusky hue will pervade the face. Often the lips 
and sometimes the tip of the tongue are of a florid 
red ; the tongue is dry, and usually covered in the 
middle with a thick white fur. The child is rest- 
less, possibly complains of pain in the head, tosses 
about, and likely talks while sleeping; does not 
breathe through the nose; tongue is applied to the 
roof of the mouth, as in health. Infants £uck by 
starts; seizing the breast eagerly, then suddenly 
quit, and begin to cry. Such are some of the 



croup. 297 



A Physician should be Promptly Called. Croup. 

symptoms of this insidious malady; and several of 
them grouped together should induce parents to send 
immediately for the family physician. The disease 
may usually be readily controlled by enveloping the 
chest in a warm mush-jacket; not so heavy as to 
interfere with breathing; controlling the pulse with 
small doses of fluid extract of veratrum viride, fol- 
lowed by a little compound sirup of squills occasion- 
ally, to keep up bronchial secretion. In some cases 
an occasional dose of Dover's powder may be required. 
Do not neglect to support the patient with early wine 
whey; but these should be under the direction of a 
physician. 

CROUP. 

The symptoms of this frightful malady are too well 
known to require repeating here. Few persons have 
arrived at mature years who have not heard the 
hoarse, barking cough, or the difficult, croaking efforts 
to breathe. The disease is both spasmodic and in- 
flammatory. The inflammatory variety is most com- 
mon, and where the spasmodic variety is present, the 
treatment here recommended will usually relieve 
promptly. The cause is commonly exposure to damp 
and cold, and often in consequence of insufficient 
clothing about the neck. The inflammation which 
attacks the throat may be of the simple or non-ma- 
lignant kind, or of the malignant diphtheritic variety. 



298 woman's monitor. 



Treatment for Croup. 



If the former variety is present the breath will not 
be putrid, as in diphtheria, and the general appearance 
at the commencement of the attack will indicate the 
absence of a severe blood-poisoning. In such cases 
give of the following prescription from one-fourth to 
one tea-spoonful every hour, until free vomiting is 
produced. Then reduce the dose one-half, and repeat 
every four hours, until the disease is subdued. Large 
doses will only resuk in severe vomiting. 

#. Compound sirup squills ^ iii. 

Tincture of lobelia § i. Mix. 

Dose as above directed. 

MALIGNANT CROUP. 

This variety occurs when putrid sore throat and 
diphtheria prevail. I have had ample reason to know 
this is a disease much to be dreaded, and only curable 
when taken early, except in a few cases. The inter- 
nal treatment is just the same as that which succeeds 
with unerring certainty in diphtheria and putrid sore 
throat, when timely applied, and will be given in full 
when treating of diphtheria. The local treatment, 
in addition to the gargles recommended for diph- 
theria, which has answered a good purpose in the 
hands of many medical men, is lime-water, used with 
a steam or hand atomizer. If neither can be pro- 
cured, slack quick-lime in a tea-pot, and let the patient 
breathe through the spout, or by some similar method 
apply the vapor. A solution of carbolic acid is 



DIPHTHERIA. 299 



Symptoms of Diphtheria. 



worthy of trial, in the same way, for very putrid 
cases. The only difference between these cases of 
croup and diphtheria is the location of the local 
disease. 

DIPHTHERIA. 

This scourge I have only seen as it prevails in the 
Middle and Western States ; but from the reports of 
others I am convinced it has similar features every- 
where. In this part of the country it usually com- 
mences with a chill, often well marked. This is prob- 
ably preceded by some days of lassitude, in most 
cases. The breath is putrid, the eye has a small, 
heavy appearance, the countenance a leaden hue, 
the tongue is heavily coated with a brown or white 
and sometimes with a yellowish fur. The glands 
of the neck, and soft parts about the throat, swell 
rapidly, and become covered with a white coat of false 
membrane, which leaves a bleeding surface if pulled 
off. In malignant cases the color of the membrane is 
brown or dark, with a tendency to slough — holes in 
the part appear. This is 'most common in children 
of scrofulous habit, and those whose blood is deteri- 
orated with syphilis, hereditary, or acquired by vac- 
cinating with bad matter, or otherwise. In such con- 
stitutions it often proves fatal ; but in persons of fair 
constitution, untainted as above indicated, and taken 
before the powers of the system are entirely ex 



300 woman's monitor. 



Treatment for Diphtheria. 



hausted, it yields to treatment as readily as inter- 
mi ttents do to quinine. 

Treatment. — Gargles — if the child is old enough to 
use them effectually — of salt and warm water, or five 
to ten grains of carbolic acid to a pint of warm water. 
From five to tw T enty-five drops, according to age, of 
tincture muriate of iron, taken in from a table-spoon- 
ful to a wineglass full of water every three hours ; 
from one-half a grain to two grains of quinine every 
three hours, and as much solution of chlorate of 
potassa — made by saturating cold water — as the pa- 
tient will take ; for an adult a wineglass full every 
hour the first few hours. If the case is far gone, or 
very malignant, we add hot whisky toddy quite freely. 
In diphtheria and malignant croup this course will 
give the best satisfaction of any before the profession, 
as I know from ample experience. After twenty- 
four hours the medicine can usually be given at longer 
intervals. 

PUTRID SORE THROAT. 

We regard this disease as erysipelas in the throat, 
and treat it just as we do severe forms of erysipelas 
elsewhere, and we know of no local application equal to 
creosolje, applied with a camel's hair pencil or a feather. 
For adults, it should be used pure; for children, re- 
duced with glycerine or sweet oil one-half or more, 
according to age. One thorough application usually 



SCARLET FEVER. 301 



Treatment for Putrid Sore Tliro.it. Scarlet Fever. 

suffices to check the disease. Mild gargles, as recom- 
mended for diphtheria, may then be employed. In 
mild cases these may suffice if the internal treatment 
is perseveringly pursued; the chlorate of potassa, 
tincture of iron, and quinine, as recommended for 
diphtheria, adding whisky early in malignant cases, 
especially if the parts discharge much offensive mat- 
ter and the pulse is quick and thready. We some- 
times give carbolic acid internally in this disease with 
excellent effect. Tea-spoonful doses of a solution 
made by adding one grain of crystals to an ounce of 
pure water or glycerine for a child three years old, 
proportionately less for younger children, will usually 
be found sufficient to relieve the fetor of the breath 
and avert general septicenia. 

SCARLET FEVER. 

This disease has proved one of the greatest scourges 
of humanity. One attack usually renders the system 
exempt from future invasion. It is eminently con- 
tagious, and usually prevails as an epidemic. The 
malignancy of the epidemic appears to depend upon 
the associate endemic or epidemic influences. Under 
favorable influences, as to climate, condition, etc., it 
is a very mild disease, usually known as scarlet rash. 
When associated with putrid sore throat o: diphtheria 
it is eminently fatal, and is sometimes very severe 
when the affection of the throat appears to be of an 



302 woman's monitor. 



Scarlet Fever Contagious. Disinfectants 

inflammatory character. The throat affection is liable 
to extend along the eustachian tubes to the inner ear, 
ofttimes producing suppuration in the labyrinth, with 
destruction of the ear-drum, followed by tedious 
chronic inflammation, causing incurable deafness. 
Other causes less severe cause closure of the tube 
leading from the throat to the ear, producing a par- 
tial deafness, that may be in some measure remedied 
b}' perforating the ear-drum so as to admit air. The 
affection of the throat at times extending to the nasal 
passages leaves a severe form of catarrh. The con- 
tagious element will linger about houses and in gar- 
ments for many months. Hence all who have had the 
disease about the house should observe great care in 
cleansing and fumigating with chlorine, carbolic acid, or 
like agents, and thorough ventilation for some time, be- 
fore any one subject to the disease should be allowed 
to be exposed. The disease usually appears about the 
fifth day after exposure — Condie, on children, says, 
" From the third to the fifth day, though we have often 
known it to be postponed until the tenth or twelfth." 
The symptoms are the same as those manifest on the 
approach of other forms of fever, as lassitude, restless- 
ness, uneasy sensation in the head, and weak pulse, 
with pale face. These symptoms continue from one 
to three days, when well-defined fever occurs, and 
about the second day of the fever a rash is developed. 
This is diffused, not so distinct as in measles, is most 



SCARLET FEVER. 303 



Treatment of Scarlet Fever. Preventive Measures. 

vivid about the flexures of the joints and around the 
loins. In malignant cases there is a dark swarthy 
appearance of the surface, and the skin has a pun- 
gent, burning feeling to the hand. Small vesicles 
sometimes appear. On the fourth day the eruption 
is usually at its height, and is generally entirely gone 
by the completion of the seventh day. Early in the 
case the throat is sore; the amount of swelling and 
character of the sore throat will depend on the asso- 
ciate epidemic influence, and in some degree upon the 
constitutional condition of the patient. The lips are 
red, the tongue dry, red, and pointed. The above 
description marks the disease in its inflammatory 
form. We can not trace its various forms, only to 
say that it is subject to a great many variations, de- 
pending upon the previous habits of the patient and 
the character of the disease of the throat. 

Prevention. — Many physicians have implicit faith 
in belladonna. When it fails entirely to prevent, it 
no doubt modifies the disease to some extent. Its 
method of preparation and administration is as fol- 
lows: Dissolve two grains of recent alcoholic extract 
of belladonna in one ounce of aromatic infusion or half 
an ounce of water, adding half an ounce of whisky, 
to prevent souring, and of this give two drops twice 
daily to a child one year old, adding one drop for 
every additional year up to twelve. This is the 
largest dose usually required. Give morning and 



304 woman's monitor. 

Treatment. 

evening. It should be continued for ten or twelve 
days, then omitted, after a few days' rest resumed 
again, and again left off, so continuing as long as the 
epidemic prevails. In addition to this, all mince- 
pies, sausage, or fat pork, and lard in every form 
should be prohibited, but a full diet of fruit, vegeta- 
bles, and lean beef or mutton, with fresh fish (no 
stale fish) allowed. I usually give also chlorate of 
potassa to those directly exposed. With careful ob- 
servance of the above I am convinced that the dis- 
ease can often be prevented and usually modified. 
If the rash is slow developing, I always give bella- 
donna freely until the rash appears. A mild dose of 
citrate of magnesia, to cleanse the bowels, and the 
use of from five to twenty drops of liquid bisulphite 
of soda every three hours, with chlorate of potassa, 
saturated solution, in cold water as a drink, will suc- 
ceed in ordinary cases. The internal use of carbolic 
acid in glycerine, as directed for sore throat, is at 
times necessary in very malignant cases. If the 
pulse is very rapid and putrid symptoms severe, 
whisky toddy appears to save life, and if given at 
all, should be with a liberal hand. When the burn- 
ing heat of the skin is severe and the restlessness 
great, prompt relief may be obtained by thoroughly 
anointing the body with lard; it checks the rapid oxy- 
genation of the blood through the skin. This may 
be washed off with warm soda-water the next day 



SCARLET FEVER. 305 



Treatment Continued. 



and re-applied if necessary. To the throat, exter- 
nally, a piece of fat salt bacon is as good as any 
thing, possibly the very best application. Frequent 
gargling or washing with salt-water has no superior 
as a local application, although carbolic acid and cre- 
osote washes are at times of great service. The old 
barbarous plan of thrusting hard sponge probangs 
over the swollen parts, wet with strong caustics, is 
justly falling into disrepute, but still lingers in cer- 
tain localities, as a ghastly monument of the cruelty 
and barbarity practiced in the name of science upon 
the suffering children of a past age. After the fe- 
brile disease has passed away, and during the period 
of scaling, many children become dropsical. These 
may usually be relieved by keeping the bowels open 
with small doses of cream of tartar, three times 
daily, and toning up the system with small doses of 
tincture of iron — from five to twenty drops, accord- 
ing to age, in water, three times daily. It will be 
apparent from the foregoing statements, that the 
treatment of scarlet fever must depend in its most 
essential features upon the prevailing epidemic type, 
as manifest in the condition of the throat. If treated 
before the disease has destroyed all vital power the 
cases should be few indeed where a failure to cure 
would occur. It is one of those diseases of children 
that should, in all cases, receive the assistance of the 
best medical aid available. 

20 



306 woman's monitor. 

Measles Contagious. Symptoms. 

MEASLES. 

This is a contagious, eruptive disease, usually occur- 
ring but once, and is now generally supposed to have 
its origin in the mold or sporules developed in damp 
wheat or rye straw. It is not often fatal without the 
co-existence of lung fever, or other inflammatory 
affection, except when it occurs in the malignant form 
known as black measles. These cases appear to be 
measles associated with some low, depraved condition 
of the blood, such as occurs in diphtheria, and putrid 
sore throat, or typhus fever. In fact, the malignant 
forms of sore throat often accompany this variety. 
The disease then requires the same tonic and anti- 
septic treatment detailed when treating of those 
affections. In most malignant cases wine whey will 
be required early to assist in developing the rash, 
and sustaining the flagging vital powers. 

The period between exposure and the appearance 
of the disease varies from three to ten days. The 
disease commences with the usual symptoms of erup- 
tive fevers, to which are added all the appearance of 
a bad cold, as sneezing, watery eyes, and slight 
swelling of the edge of the eyelids, some degree 
of hoarseness, a hoarse, dry cough, and drowsiness. 
The bowels are costive ; sometimes there is vomiting. 
The eruption appears about the fourth day, first on 
the face,* then gradually developed over the body, 



MEASLES. 307 



Treatment for Measles. 



appearing last upon the extremities. The eruption 
is at its height by the sixth day, and all, only a slight 
discoloration, has disappeared by the ninth. Some- 
times the cuticle peels off in minute scales. There is 
usually a severe bronchial cough, and want of care 
may cause a severe chronic bronchitis to linger. This 
is common with those who do not have the disease 
until after puberty. The eruption appears on the 
mucous surfaces, as well as upon the skin, and hence 
the bronchitis. Much difference of opinion exists 
among medical men as to the treatment of measles ; 
some giving cold drinks, others warm. We are of the 
opinion that the dangers of severe bronchitis, or lung 
fever, are largely increased by allowing the patient 
cold drinks. Only the mildest of laxatives are ad- 
missible. Small doses of carbolic acid appear to 
modify the disease. For a child three years old tea- 
spoonful doses of a solution of one grain to the ounce 
of glycerine; varying the dose as per age of child. 
Expectorant sirups are often required as follows : 

R Cox's hive sirup 3 j. 

Paregoric 3 *• 

Sweet spirits of niter 5 i. 

Fluid extract glycyrrhiza 3 i. Mix. 

Dose, tea-spoonful every three to four hours for a 
child twelve years old; reducing the dose according 
to age. A large majority of cases require only well- 
ventilated rooms, free from drafts of cold air on the 
patient, and plenty of warm drinks. The beverage I 



308 woman's monitor. 



Treatment Continued. Roseola. 

prefer, because it combines the qualities of both vict- 
uals and drink, is oat tea, prepared by boiling two 
quarts of oats in half a gallon of water, until the 
grains are soft and bursting, adding water to preserve 
the amount of liquid. I have used this diet and 
beverage for many hundred little patients with happy 
effect. They may drink it largely, and will find it 
pleasant if slightly sweetened. If the breathing be- 
comes very rapid, and pain in breathing occurs, lung 
fever should be feared, and the family physician em- 
ployed. 

ROSEOLA, OR BASTARD MEASLES, 

is described in many medical books — r we think erro- 
neously — as scarlet rash. We prefer to use the term 
scarlet rash to designate the mildest possible forms 
of true scarlet fever, as it is usually so understood 
by the people. Roseola is an eruptive affection, 
closely resembling measles. It is said not to be con- 
tagious, an assertion we feel very much inclined to 
doubt. It is seldom accompanied with much fever or 
sore throat, and usually requires but little treatment. 
Many of those supposed to have had measles twice 
had roseola instead of a second attack of measles. 
Mild laxatives, and a diet void of greasy, exciting 
food, is all that is usually required. 



CHICKEN-POX. 309 



Are Chicken-Pox and Small-Pox Identical? 



CHICKEN-POX. 

This disease occurs in quite a variety of forms, 
from a mild, vascular eruption, scattered over the 
body, and unaccompanied with perceptible consti- 
tutional disturbance, to a severe papular affection, 
with fever and all the symptoms of the milder forms 
of small-pox. Much discussion has taken place 
among medical men as to identity of origin for the 
two diseases, and great minds are arrayed on both 
sides of the question. Professor Bennett, of Edin- 
burgh, in his Practice of Medicine, edition of 1867, 
page 967, says : " Small-pox and chicken-pox have 
been observed in persons inhabiting the same room 
and sleeping in the same bed. Well-authenticated 
cases occurred of individuals inoculated with small- 
pox in whom the eruption assumed the appearance 
of chicken-pox ; and, again, persons inoculated with 
chicken-pox had small-pox well characterized. The 
work of Dr. John Thompson, entitled an Account of 
the Varioloid Epidemics of Scotland of 1820, con- 
tains many facts of this description, which were well 
known at the time, and an account of numerous ex- 
periments carried on at Castle Garrison, of this place, 
which have never been controverted, and which fully 
establish the essential unity in the nature of the two 
affections. It is evidently inconsistent to suppose 
that two distinct contagions should exist at the same 



310 woman's monitor. 



Discussion Continued. 



time, each of which is protective against the other." 
Those who admit this doctrine must maintain that, 
whenever the chicken-pox contagion prevailed the 
small-pox contagion was excluded, or the reverse ; 
or, on the other hand, they must admit that small- 
pox is produced by the same contagion that gives rise 
to chicken-pox. The work of Dr. Thompson fur- 
nishes ample proof of the correctness of the latter 
proposition. We have observed a form of pustular 
disease spread through the country, which physicians 
called chicken-pox, and which was certainly traceable 
to contact with well-marked cases of small-pox. 
Some of these cases were very mild, the eruption 
being only vascular ; others were quite sick, and had 
numerous pitting pustules. Such cases would pass 
for small-pox, if the disease in its severe form was 
in the house or immediate vicinity. I have also ob- 
served that the disease becomes less severe as it 
spread by consecutive contagion to a distance from 
the original forces of contagion until reaching another 
village, where, finding among the ill-fed and depraved 
constitutions in filthy habitations, proper material for 
its development, it assumed a more malignant type, 
until well-marked small-pox was developed from 
germs apparently but chicken-pox. 

The above views of the identity of the disease will 
explain the reason why there is so much contention 
at times among physicians as to the nature of certain 



CHICKEN-POX. 311 



Treatment for Chicken-Pox. How to Prevent Pits on the Face. 

eruptive affections prevailing. I am seldom disap- 
pointed in my expectation that vaccination will not 
take upon a person who has a few well-marked pits 
from chicken-pox. Such are already protected against 
small-pox. The milder variety of this disease re- 
quires no treatment ; only care not to take cold, lest 
some inflammatory complication occur. If the dis- 
ease is severe, with a well-marked pustular eruption, 
more care and treatment will be required. Give 
cooling, mucilaginous drinks, as gum arabic or slip- 
pery-elm bark tea. Let the room be well ventilated, 
and the diet light and nutritious. The bowels may 
be moved once in two or three days, with rhubarb or 
castor-oil. No active purgative medicine should be 
given. Physicians usually give Dover's powders at 
night to relieve the extreme restlessness so common 
in all this class of eruptive diseases. If the case is 
severe, or approaches in malignancy to a genuine 
small-pox, the bronchial cough, sore eyes, sore mouth 
and throat, will be more or less marked, and we treat 
the disease and its complications the same way we 
would a malignant small-pox, preventing pits upon 
the face by the daily application, with a feather or 
earners hair brush, of one part of glycerine and two 
of compound tincture of iodine. We have the most 
implicit faith in bisulphite of soda, also in carbolic 
acid, to modify the disease, and neutralize its malig- 
nant qualities. For a child twelve years old twenty 



312 woman's monitor. 



Further Treatment. Mumps. 

drops every six hours of the liquid bisulphite of soda 
may be given in water. We usually alternate with 
this tea-spoonful doses of glycerine, seven parts, with 
Nichol's saturated solution of carbolic acid, one part, 
or two grains of the crystals of carbolic acid to the 
ounce of glycerine may be substituted. We have 
found the above to ameliorate all the severe symp- 
toms, and lead to a speedy convalescence cases of 
well-marked small-pox. Having considered chicken- 
pox and small-pox as but modified forms of the same 
disease, and given the treatment for the severer forms 
of chicken-pox, which we believe to be identical with 
the milder forms of small-pox, we will not treat of 
small-pox under a separate head, as such cases should 
be under the care of the family physician. 

MUMPS. 

This is inflammation of the glands at the angle of 
the jaw, whose office is to secrete saliva to moisten 
the mouth. It seldom occurs a second time in the 
same individual. It is usually epidemic. The dis- 
ease is at its height by the fifth day, when it begins 
gradually to disappear. It seldom terminates in sup- 
puration. Great care is required not to take cold. 
No treatment is necessary in ordinary cases. If the 
swelling of the gland is very painful a mild stimu- 
lating liniment maybe applied. A curious feature of 
this disease is its tendency to be transmitted to the 



HOOPING-COUGH. 313 



Treatment for Mumps. Treatment for Hooping-Cough. 

testicles of the males and to the breasts of females. 
Cloths wrung out of hot water or a hot mush poultice 
should be applied to the neck, and cooling lotions to 
the inflamed organs, also small nauseating doses of 
tartar emetic may be given. In a few hours the 
disease will usually re-appear in the glands of the 
neck, when the suffering organs will be relieved. If 
this fails, after a fair trial, apply the warm poultice 
to the infljimed organs, and give a light dose of Ep- 
som salts. When it operates give full doses of Do- 
ver's powders, and continue the tartar emetic until 
relief is obtained. 

HOOPING-COUGH 

is a contagious disease of the larynx, usually occur- 
ring as an epidemic. Its symptoms are too well 
known to require description. During the early 
stages it should be treated with mild expectorants, 
as Cox's hive sirup, in slightly nauseating doses. 
When the hooping has fairly commenced great relief 
may be obtained by a few whiffs of a good cigar, 
also from the use of a sirup of skunk cabbage-root, 
given freely. If large quantities of mucus are 
thrown off, when the disease has become chronic, as 
much pulverized alum as will lie on a three-cent 
piece may be given in water every few hours to a 
child two years old, increasing the dose to twice that 
amount, according to age. This sometimes relieves 

27 



314 woman's monitor. 



Vaccination for Hooping-Cough. 



very promptly. The disease is dangerous in very 
young children, on account of the danger of associ- 
ated bronchitis or lung fever. Such cases should be 
early placed in charge of a physician. This disease 
is prone to be worse at night. Hooping-cough occur- 
ring about the period of puberty is apt to develop 
latent tuberculous troubles, also certain nervous affec- 
tions. Many remedies have been proposed by the 
profession, as tincture of Spanish flies, prussic acid, 
nitric acid, belladonna, aconite, bloodroot, and a host 
of others, proving by their very number that the pro- 
fession as yet have devised no certain method of cure. 
It usually becomes chronic, then the cough continues 
until it wears itself out with the change of season. 
In my hands, vaccination, if it has not previously 
been performed, has proved very efficient as a means 
of arresting the hooping-cough. This should be done 
about the close of the second week of the disease. 
Vaccination was recommended by Prof. Chapman, as 
far back as 1828, and has been extensively practiced 
in certain localities since. 

SEVERE COLDS. 

Arrested cutaneous secretion from exposure or sud- 
den chill, especially from going into a cold atmos- 
phere from overheated rooms, is a means of disturb- 
ing the equilibrium of the physiological forces, that 
not unfrequently results in severe disease. Espe- 



BRONCHITIS. 315 



Colds. Treatment. Bronchitis. 

cially is it likely to produce bronchitis or lung fever. 
The first symptoms of injury from such causes are 
denominated, in common parlance, a cold. Among 
children such difficulties often terminate in a croup, 
or other disease of the respiratory organs. It is 
always best to endeavor to break up such trouble by 
securing a return of the proper secretion of the skin. 
This may be effected at times by soaking the feet in 
hot water on retiring and drinking freely of elder- 
flower, peach-leaf, or marsh-mallow tea. In some 
cases where coldness of the extremities and a lan- 
guid condition of the circulation prevails, ginger tea, 
in limited quantity, may be used to advantage. The 
spirit vapor-bath, or steaming, by preparing the pa- 
tient as elsewhere directed for the spirit vapor-bath, 
and putting a hot brick in a pan of water under the 
covering (using great care not to scald the patient), 
is useful. All forms of bath which secure sweating 
should be followed with a towel wet with tepid water 
and thorough rubbing with a dry towel. 

BRONCHITIS 

is very common during childhood. It is the form of 
disease most commonly present when a child is sup- 
posed to have taken a cold upon its lungs, and may be 
known by the rattling of mucus in the tubes when 
the child breathes, and by the expectoration of large 
quantities of tough mucus, the expectoration becom- 



316 woman's monitor. 



Treatment for Asthma and Phthisic. 



ing thin as the case advances. Emetics of Cox's 
hive sirup or tartar emetic, are useful in the early 
stages, also small doses of the expectorant sirup, 
mentioned when speaking of measles, given every 
four to six hours, will usually effect a cure, especially 
if proper care is observed as to dress and ventilation 
of rooms. 

ASTHMA OF CHILDREN, 

or phthisic, as it is popularly called, is sometimes as- 
sociated with bronchitis, and requires the same treat- 
ment, except it may be necessary to give a few drops 
of sulphuric ether, tincture asafoetida, or tincture of 
valerian, to remove the spasmodic action of the air- 
tubes, that gives to the bronchial attack its peculiar 
asthmatic type. Phthisic appears at times to be 
purely spasmodic, coming on at intervals with much 
severity. This form of the disease, as well as spasm 
of the upper part of the air-tube, is sometimes ac- 
companied with frightful difficulty of breathing. If 
the mild antispasmodics above named do not relieve, 
bromide of potassium, ten grains dissolved in water, 
may be given every two hours until relief is ob- 
tained, or the same amount of hydrate of chloral, 
given in the same way. The above dose for a child 
ten years old should be increased for older and di- 
minished for younger children, according to age. 
Children subject to throat and lung troubles should 



CHOLERA INFANTUM. 317 

Consumption among Children. Cholera Infantum. 

be dressed warmly, with flannels next the skin, at 
least during the entire cold and damp seasons. 

While speaking of lung difficulties, permit me to re- 
mark that very young children, as well as older ones, 
die of consumption; that the disease is sometimes 
lingering with children, but more frequently is very 
rapid in its course. Many children who rapidly de- 
cline and die with cough, indigestion, and severe diar- 
rhea, and are supposed to be victims of some bowel 
disease, really die with consumption. 

tHOLERA INFANTUM, 

or Summer complaint of infants, is a disease of very 
frequent occurrence. It occurs usually during the 
second Summer, or the period of the first dentition, 
but may appear as early as the sixth month, and 
sometimes as late as the fourth year. It appears at 
times to be dependent upon the change of diet, when 
deprived of the mother's milk. It is more common 
when children are raised upon a mixed diet or by the 
bottle. It is mostly prevalent during the hottest 
part of Summer. It is usually preceded by a diar- 
rhea. At first this produces no alarming symptoms. 
Some slight error in diet, a chill from malarious in- 
fluence, a sudden change in temperature, or other 
cause, suddenly aggravates all the symptoms. The 
discharges become more frequent, and there is con- 
tinuous nausea, with inability to retain either fluids 



318 woman's monitor. 



Diagnosis of Cholera Infantur 



or solids upon the stomach. The skin also is harsh 
and dry, the pulse hard and frequent. Sometimes 
the skin is covered with a cold, clammy sweat, and 
has a doughy feel, the extremities cold, and the pulse 
feeble and frequent. Extreme restlessness, rolling 
the head from side to side, with stupor, indicate con- 
gestion of the brain or effusion of serum into the ven- 
tricles of the brain, or sack of the arachnoid mem- 
brane, which envelops that organ. The disease is 
sometimes chronic, commencing with a simple diar- 
rhea — stools watery, at times mucus or blood in 
them, often mixed with green strings or shreds of 
colored mucus. In other cases they are gray or 
gray colored and very offensive. There is a great 
desire for drinks, which usually produce vomiting, or 
appear to excite operations from the bowels. The 
child wastes to a skeleton, the eyes appear sunken 
and heavy, with dark eyelids. Ofttimes the counte- 
nance assumes a sallow or yellowish cast, and the 
skin appears to be drawn tight across the forehead, 
having a shining appearance. The child appears 
worse in the afterpart of the day. The symptoms 
may be summed up as great prostration, intense de- 
sire for drinks, vomiting, and loss of flesh. If the 
case is not complicated with disease of the brain or 
its membranes, the child will probably recover under 
proper treatment. Sometimes the brain disease ap- 
pears to produce the bowel symptoms, and such cases 



CHOLERA INFANTUM. 319 

To Arrest Vomiting 

are usually fatal. Head complications are apt to 
occur if the case is neglected in the early stages or 
badly treated. 

Treatment. — To arrest the vomiting give from one 
to four tea-spoonfuls of the following mixture every 
three hours: 

R Aromatic sirup of rhubarb ^ ii. 

Bicarbonate of soda g ss. 

Peppermint water 3 "■ Mix. 

This clears the bowels, and thus removes the irri- 
tating contents. If the vomiting and diarrhea con- 
tinue, take the bark of young peach-tree limbs, put 
it into a vessel, and cover with boiling water, and let 
it stand till cool. In some cases, where great heat is 
present, it may be necessary to put ice into the tea. 
Give one-half to one tea-spoonful, according to age, 
every fifteen to thirty minutes. This remedy is 
highly spoken of by Professor Scudder, of Cincin- 
nati, and is a popular remedy in bowel complaints 
of older children, given in much larger doses by the 
country people, and is usually given warm. Strong 
coffee, without sugar or cream, given in tea-spoonful 
doses every thirty minutes, will often arrest vomiting 
in these cases. This is especially indicated in such 
cases as are accompanied with stupor and contracted 
pupils, a class of nervous symptoms closely resem- 
bling those from full doses of opium. Where the 
coffee fails the following will often arrest the vomit- 



320 woman's monitor. 



Diarrhea should not be Arrested too Suddenly. 



ing : Subnitrate of bismuth one drachm ; Peppermint 
water two ounces ; shake thoroughly, and give from 
one to two tea-spoonfuls, according to age, every 
hour, until the vomiting is arrested. In chronic 
cases, where the diarrhea persists, one ounce of ge- 
ranium root boiled in one pint of milk or water, and 
given in table-spoonful doses every one or two hours, 
or blackberry root, prepared in the same manner, 
will often correct the trouble. It should be borne in 
mind that it is not best to arrest the diarrhea too 
suddenly, as the discharge is sometimes Nature's 
method of keeping down irritation from improper 
diet, or other cause, and fever is excited by arresting 
the discharges suddenly. If much griping accom- 
pany the discharges it may be proper to combine with 
the treatment from one to five drops of -laudanum 
every four hours, adapting the dose to the age of the 
child. External applications are not to be forgotten, 
as wilted horse-radish leaves, light mustard poultices, 
stimulating liniments, tincture of camphor, or, what I 
prefer, a few drops of chloroform on the hand, ap- 
plied over the stomach and bowels, and along the 
back, until the skin is red. Many other remedies 
of a more powerful character are in use by physi- 
cians, both for internal administration and by sub- 
cutaneous injections. But these are too powerful to 
be used without the advice of a physician, to whom 
all bad cases should be intrusted. I have treated 



CHOLERA MORBUS. 321 



Diagnosis of Cholera Morbus. 



of this dangerous disease at some length for the 
benefit of persons in the rural districts, who ofttimes 
find it difficult to secure promptly the services of a 
physician. 

CHOLERA MORBUS. 

This disease is very common among children, as 
well as adults. It is most common during the Sum- 
mer months, and among children about the period 
of the second dentition. Its leading symptoms are 
vomiting and purging. The evacuations at first con- 
sist of the contents of the stomach and bowels, 
sometimes, also, considerable bile. But in some cases 
they soon assume a dirty yellow color, soon chang- 
ing to a colorless or milky fluid, not unlike the rice- 
water evacuations of Asiatic cholera. In bad cases 
the same cold, clammy condition of the surface ap- 
pears, accompanied with muscular spasms, closely re- 
sembling the cramps of the true cholera. Thus the 
case progresses until the patient sinks into collapse 
and dies, comatose from exhaustion of the vital 
forces. After the vomiting and purging have re- 
moved the irritating contents of the stomach and 
bowels, the disease is usually arrested by reaction 
of the vital powers, with or without the promptings 
of treatment. Sometimes it is associated with the 
irritation of worms in children. Such are very apt 
to have convulsions during the attack. The disease 



122 WOMAN'S MONITOR. 



Cause and Treatment of Cholera Morbus. 



is almost always caused by over-indulgence in melons, 
fruits, or green succulent vegetables. Fermentation 
of the undigested mass generates acrid material, 
which readily excites disease, especially if the patient 
suffers from sudden suppression of perspiration, or 
the enervating influence of marsh malaria. 

Treatment. — In many cases all that is required is 
to drink freely of warm w T ater, containing in solution 
a very small quantity of table soda. If the stomach 
contain irritating material not readily dislodged, it 
may be proper to give an emetic of ipecacuanha*, 
ground mustard, eupatorium (bone-set), or lobelia tea. 
Mustard, or other external counter-irritant, should be 
applied. If the vomiting and diarrhea continue, a 
few drops of laudanum may be given, according to 
age, from five to fifteen drops. This should not be 
repeated oftener than once in two hours, and no more 
given after the pain and diarrhea cease. Peppermint 
or spearmint tea will usually answer, without the 
laudanum. Small doses of the neutralizing cordial, 
for which a formula will be found in the article on 
diarrhea, is very prompt in affording relief. If evi- 
dence of worms is present, some form of worm med- 
icine should be given, and an associate ague, or chill 
fever, should be removed by the use of quinine, as 
soon as the vomiting and purging are controlled. 



DIARRHEA. 323 



Diarrhea. Treatment. 



DIARRHEA. 

This disease may be caused by the irritation of 
material that should be removed from the stomach 
and bowels. Such cases should be treated by emetics, 
if it is desirable to unload the stomach, or by light 
purging, if the source of irritation is in the bowels. 
For filling the first of these indications ipecacuanha 
is probably best. For clearing the bowels, soluble 
citrate of magnesia, rhubarb, or castor-oil, will answer 
very well. If the discharges are light, or clay-col- 
ored, some remedy to act on the liver should be given, 
as from one-eighth to one-half grain of leptandrin, 
according to age. As a corrective, no remedy is better 
than the neutralizing cordial, as it will alone often 
check diarrhea, cholera morbus, or dysentery. We 
give the formula. Take 

Best Turkey rhubarb 2 ounces. 

Pulverized peppermint plant J " 

Pulverized allspice | " 

Bicarbonate of soda |- " 

Pulverized cinnamon J " 

Pulverized prickly-ash berries 2 " 

Crushed geranium root 2 " 

Soft water two pints ; simmer slowly to one and a 
half pints ; strain through fine cloth, then add one- 
half pound of loaf sugar, boil to dissolve the sugar, 
and when cool add two ounces of the best brandy, 
stir well, then bottle and cork for use. Dose, from 



324 woman's monitor. 



Dysentery. Treatment. 

half a tea-spoonful to a table-spoonful, according to 
age and the effect desired. To a child five years old 
a tea-spoonful may be given every two to four hours, 
with the best results, in diarrhea or dysentery. More 
brandy may be added if the child is much reduced 
from loss of blood or the exhausting character of the 
discharge. 

DYSENTERY, OR BLOODY FLUX, 

may be known from an ordinary diarrhea by the vio- 
lence of the symptoms, pain and straining at stool, 
and the bloody, or mucous discharges. This disease 
is often accompanied with malarial fever, requiring 
antibilious physic and quinine, even in young chil- 
dren; but a large majority may be cured by moving 
the bowels with castor-oil, and giving small doses of 
the neutralizing cordial (for which a formula was 
given p. 323) every three hours, when the pain is 
severe. A few drops of laudanum in starch-water, 
thrown into the bowels with a syringe, is very useful, 
as the cordial may not be at hand, and requires time 
to make it. We give a formula which is an excellent 
substitute, which can readily be procured at any drug- 
store, and which we have prescribed many hundred 
times for children : 

# Aromatic sirup of rhubarb oz. ii. 

Fluid extract of geranium oz. i. 

Essence of peppermint Z x - 

Bicarbonate of soda " ss. 



worms. 325 



Worms. Nauseating Drugs. 

Best brandy to make four ounces. Dose, one- 
fourth of a tea-spoonful to a tea-spoonful, according 
to age. 

We have said but little about the diet of children 
afflicted with disease of the stomach and bowels, be- 
cause the rules laid down elsewhere in the course of 
this book are sufficiently plain as to the necessity of 
care not to irritate the stomach with any food that 
would be hard on it, but to confine the child to the 
mildest- and least irritating diet that the circum- 
stances admit of. 

WORMS. 

Well do we remember the huge doses of nauseating 
vermifuge which it was fashionable to pour down the 
throats of children when we were young, and to this 
day the remembrance of those horrid potions causes 
a sense of sickening disgust, though reaching us on 
the wings of memory from beyond the shadows of 
more than thirty years. Thanks to the. progress of 
chemical science, those pests of childhood are now 
removed by agents so pleasant to the taste that chil 
dren seldom complain when required to take ver- 
mifuge. 

Varieties. — There are six varieties usually met with, 
but several other kinds are occasionally found. For 
all practical purposes they may be described under 
six divisions. 



326 woman's monitor. 



Worms Continued. 



First, the long round worm, sometimes called by 
physicians, 

LUMBRICUS. 

It resembles the earth-worm, and is supposed by 
some authorities to belong to the same species. Ev- 
ery one is familiar with its appearance. The female 
is the largest, while the male is more pointed at the 
posterior extremity. The males are not so numerous 
as the females, and it is supposed more difficult to 
expel. This worm is usually found in the small in- 
testines, though sometimes it passes into the stom- 
ach, causing severe vomiting, and by passing up the 
oesophagus it may cause severe choking and great 
distress, sometimes convulsions. Worms are often 
expelled from the stomach b}' vomiting. They 
sometimes penetrate the walls of the tube, and are 
found, after death from inflammation or convulsions, 
in the cavity of the abdomen. It is doubtful whether 
they ever penetrate a sound intestine, but pass 
through ulcerated spots, which were nearly through 
and required but little force to secure a passage — at 
least, chronic ulceration existed in the two cases 
that have fallen under my observation, and such was 
the state of the bowel in all cases reported to me by 
professional friends. Much diversity of opinion has 
existed as to the origin of this species of worms, 
some contending that the doctrine of spontaneous 



WORMS LUMBRICUS. 327 

Cause of Worms. 

generation is a philosophic necessity, others that 
they are produced from germs introduced from with- 
out. Against the latter idea may be urged the fact 
that they have been found in the intestines of still- 
born children. We can not spare the space to discuss 
this point. We believe, however, that the germs are 
received with the food or water. It is claimed by 
Eschricht that one female may produce sixty-four 
million ova. These are either developed in the bow- 
els or cast off with the stools, to find their way into 
other individuals and developed there. Abundance 
of mucus appears to be necessary for their propaga- 
tion, and the irritation of their presence favors its se- 
cretion. Indigestion is a fruitful source of worm de- 
velopment. Indeed, it may well be doubted whether 
they will breed in a healthy bowel where digestion 
and chymification is perfectly performed. Overeat- 
ing and improper food favors their propagation, so 
does a scrofulous condition, especially that form of 
the disease which affects the glandular structure of 
the bowels. The period of life most subject to these 
parasites is from weaning to the period of puberty, 
though young babes are at times afflicted, especially 
those allowed a mixed diet, and adults also are sub- 
ject to them. It is supposed by some that the ma- 
ternal state favors the development of worms, and in 
practice it is often found that women get along badly 
in consequence of the irritation of worms, and re- 



328 woman's monitor. 



Symptoms of Worms. Treatment 

cover immediately on their expulsion. This may be 
accounted for by the indigestion and fermentation of 
food so common with pregnant females, caused by 
over-indulgence in food. 

Symptoms. — The symptoms of worms in the bow- 
els are the same as those arising from intestinal irri- 
tation from other causes, such as restless nights, 
starting in sleep, irregular paroxysms of fever, pale- 
ness around the mouth, extending up the side of the 
nose, itching at the anus, a dry, hacking cough, swell- 
ing of the eyelids and upper lip, especially in the 
morning; sometimes St. Vitus' dance or epilepsy, 
frequently convulsions. These symptoms may not 
all be present, but several of them grouped together 
should excite suspicion of worms, although it is cer- 
tain most of these symptoms often arise from other 
causes. We regard an irregular and at times vora- 
cious appetite as indicating worms. The influence of 
worms over the health of children is no doubt vastly 
overrated, yet it must be admitted that they very 
frequently by their irritation cause serious disease, 
and no doubt sometimes destroy young children. 
The microscope will reveal the eggs in the discharges 
if a person has worms. 

Treatment. — The long, round worm may be removed 
by a variety of medicines. If convulsions are pres 
ent some antispasmodic should be given. Equal parts 
of tincture of asafoetida and sulphuric ether is an ex 



WORMS LUMBRICUS. 329 

Treatment Continued. 

cellent remedy, dose varying from fifteen drops to a 
tea-spoonful, according to the age of the child. Chlo- 
roform applied along the spine so as to redden the 
skin, and a few drops given internally, is sometimes 
very efficient. If the child can not swallow, the 
chloroform should be given, by inhalation, until the 
convulsions are controlled. The bowels should then 
be cleared with castor-oil, in full doses, to which from 
ten to sixty drops of turpentine should be added, ac- 
cording to age. Children over twelve years and 
adults may safely take one tea-spoonful of turpentine 
to a table-spoonful of castor-oil for a dose, and repeat 
in three or four hours until the bowels are effectually 
cleansed. We then give santonine, from one to five 
grains, according to age, either sprinkled on bread 
and butter or combined with sugar. It is almost 
tasteless, and should be repeated three times daily 
for four or five days, and the oil and turpentine or 
other form of purge then given. If thought neces- 
sary this process may be repeated. We have known 
large numbers of worms to be found in the bed in 
the morning, having crawled away from the children 
under a course of santonine. It causes the water of 
the patient to present a deep }^ellow color, and if the 
dose is too large, will disturb the nervous system, 
and irritate the bowels and kidneys ; hence hhould be 
used cautiously. It is then perfectly safe, and the 
only remedy I have found it necessary to resort to 

28 



330 woman's monitor. 



Treatment Continued. 



in an extensive practice for the last ten years. As 
soon as the worms are expelled a careful diet should 
be enjoined and some bitter tonic, as gentian, quas- 
sia, or Peruvian bark tea, or tincture, used three times 
daily, for some weeks, to restore the tone of the bow- 
els. Sulphate of iron, in doses ranging from one -half 
to two grains, added to the tonic dose above men- 
tioned has proved very effectual in preventing the re- 
development of the worms, no doubt partially on ac- 
count of its tonic virtue, and partly because it checks 
the secretion of mucus so necessary as a nest for 
hatching the eggs and developing the young para- 
sites. Pink and senna is a very powerful vermi- 
fuge, but more severe on the nerves and eyes than 
santonine. Oil of worm-seed is dreadful to take. It 
enters into the formula of most all the old-fashioned 
vermifuges that have of late been supplanted by the 
worm-lozenges. These are efficient only as they con- 
tain santonin e. Santonine is the only agent now 
known that is a powerful vermifuge and nearly taste- 
less. The dose of the oil of worm-seed is from five 
to ten drops three times daily. Strong tea made of 
tansy or wormwood drank freely is an excellent ver- 
mifuge, much prized among the people in the rural dis- 
tricts. To effect a cure they must be continued three 
times daily for several weeks. Many other remedies 
have been recommended for this variety of worm, but 
the above are sufficient for all practical purposes. 



WORMS — ASCARIS VERMICULARIS. 331 

The Thread Worm. 

ASCARIS VERMICULARIS. 

This worm, sometimes called the thread, seat, or 
maw-worm, inhabits the iurge intestine. Its length 
varies from a sixth to half an inch. They occur 
chiefly in young children, though we have known not 
a few adults afflicted with them, and occasionally they 
occur in the aged. They cause an intolerable itching, 
especially at night. In girls they sometimes migrate 
into the vagina, and excite inflammation, with copious 
mucous or purulent discharge. They excite the sex- 
ual organs, leading to masturbation, and in boys to 
spermatorrhoea. On examination of the stools they 
appear adhering to the faeces; on close examination 
they may usually be found about the anus. They 
impair the health by causing nervous irritation and 
loss of rest. 

Treatment. — The same means may be used to im- 
prove digestion as are recommended for the long, 
round worm, and if any, the same vermifuges may 
be employed. But the best way to rid persons of 
these worms is to thoroughly inject the bowels twice 
daily with tansy-tea, or a tea made by adding one 
pint of boiling water to two ounces of quassia chips. 
Flint, in his practice, recommends soot-tea injections. 
A rubber syringe should be used, and not less than 
half a pint to one pint employed at every injec- 
tion. This puts the bowel on the stretch, and thus 



332 woman's monitor. 



The Tape- Worm. 



reaches every fold. After injecting for three or four 
days, their return may be prevented by occasional in- 
jections, until every egg is hatched and destroyed. 

TRICHOCEPH?LUS DISPAR 

is named from the hair-like appearance of the head 
extremity. It is from an inch and a half to two 
inches in length; is male and female, and inhabits 
the caecum, sometimes the small intestines. It is 
occasionally found on dissection in persons of all 
ages, and is said to infest the domestic cat. It is 
not known that its presence gives rise to any serious 
trouble. It belongs to the same class as the worms 
found in such great numbers in the duodenum or 
lower stomach of the inhabitants at Milan, in Egypt, 
and which causes anaemia, occasioned by loss of blood, 
from piercing the wall of the bowel. It has but lit- 
tle practical importance in this country, and when its 
presence is suspected the treatment should be the 
same as recommended for the large round worm. 

TVENIA SOLIUM. 

This is the common tape-worm of this country. It 
may be distinguished by its ribbon-like form, and is 
composed of numerous sections or joints. As the 
name indicates, it is usually solitary, but occasionally 
two or more are found. TWard the head it is attenu- 
ated to a mere thread. It varies in length from four to 



WORMS — T^NIA LATA, OR BROAD TAPE-WORM. 333 

Description of Tape- Worms. 

thirty-five feet, and the number of joints, resembling 
the seed of the gourd, sometimes reach one thousand. 
The head is very small and round or triangular, and 
under a good microscope presents four projections or 
suckers, and a double row of hooklets, numbering 
twelve or fifteen in each row. The hooks are some- 
times wanting. The joints are being continually 
thrown off and appearing in the stools. The exfoli- 
ated joints contain immense numbers of eggs. Prof. 
Bennett estimates the number of eggs in the tape- 
worm of the cat at 12,500,000. The number of 
ova in a large taenia solium found in the human body 
would number several millions. It is fortunate they 
do not develop into worms in the intestines of man or 
animals. Their origin and treatment will be described 
when treating of the 

T^NIA LATA, OR BROAD TAPE-WORM. 

The first variety prevails in England, France, Spain, 
Austria, Prussia, Greece, and Italy, where the broad 
worm, according to Flint, is almost unknown. Both 
kinds occur in Finland, Norway, Poland, Sweden, 
and the United States. The broad variety occurs 
chiefly in Russia and Switzerland. It is most com- 
mon also on the borders of seas, lakes, and rivers, 
and hence is supposed to be derived from the cystic 
entozoon, existing in fish. The common tape-worm 
irises from receiving into the system the cysticercus 



B34 woman's monitor. 



/ 



Origin of Tape- Worm. 



cellulosae, which are common, especially in swine or 
sheep. Flint, in his practice of medicine, says it is 
the presence of these parasites in immense numbers 
which renders pork " measly." Of course such food 
eaten raw or partly cooked will produce tape-worm, 
though one fairly developed appears usually to pre- 
vent others from maturing. Possibly it may yet be 
proved that the tape-worm destroys the rudimentary 
beings of its own species. Thorough cooking de- 
stroys these germs. It is supposed by some that 
the cysticercus cellulosae does not exist in the ox, 
and as eating raw meat of the ox causes tape-worm, 
it has been denied that the tape-worm originates 
from that parasite. We think it remains to be 
proven that the parasite does not exist in beef, but 
regard the development of tape-worm from its use as 
evidence that they do exist in beef. Almost every 
person is afflicted with tape-worm in Abyssinia, no 
doubt from their habit of eating raw meat. It has 
been observed that pork butchers and cooks are pecu- 
liarly prone to tape-worm. The joints of the taenia 
lata are broader than those of the taenia solium. The 
tape-worm inhabits the small intestines, sometimes ex- 
tending into the large bowel. Its presence is denoted 
by well-marked symptoms, as dimness of vision, giddi- 
ness, ringing in the ears, itching of the nose and anus, 
salivation, disordered digestion, colic, neuralgic pains in 
the bowels, and emaciation. These symptoms mayorig- 



WORMS T.ENIA LATA, OR BROAD TAPE-WORM. 335 

Symptoms of the Presence of Tape- Worms. 

inate from other morbid conditions of the bowels. The 
only certain symptom is the presence of fragments of 
the worm in the stools. A dose of castor-oil, turpentine, 
or other cathartic has frequently caused fragments of 
tape-worm to pass from persons who had previously 
considered themselves perfectly well. After the ex- 
istence of the worm is ascertained, disorders of all 
kinds are referred to it. The truth is, the import- 
ance of the tape-worm as a cause of ill-health has 
been greatly overrated. Hypochondriac individuals 
frequently imagine they have tape-worm, a kind of 
insane delusion which once fixed in the mind can 
not be readily removed. The worm will live for 
many years. It develops joints from the neck, and 
the joints at the tail are cast off. If no joints pass 
for many months it is probable that the worm is dead. 
No doubt they frequently die a natural death. When 
drastic purges break them near the neck the head 
perishes. The best means of prevention is to avoid 
uncooked dried beef, and indeed all forms of fish 
and flesh not cooked, so as to insure that every part 
has been heated to at least 190° Fahrenheit. 

Treatment. — Take pumpkin seeds, two ounces — 
some suppose those grown far South are the best — 
remove the shell of the seed, put them into a mortar, 
add half a pint of water, pound up well, strain through 
a cloth, and drink this mixture in the morning, fast- 
ins:. If it does not operate in two hours take two 



336 woman's monitor. 



Treatment for Tape-Worm. 



table-spoonfuls of castor-oil, and one tea-spoonful of 
turpentine, or take fresh bark of the pomegranate 
root two and a half ounces, water one and a half pints, 
boil until reduced one half, when the whole may be 
given in the course of a few hours. This may be 
repeated every few days, until the worm is destroyed. 
It generally produces vomiting and purging. Another 
purgative medicine that has been given with great 
success is the hairs and powder from the capsules of 
rottera tinctoria, the kamela. The dose is from one 
to two drachms, given in honey or thick gruel. It 
may be combined with extract of male fern. Pow- 
dered tin has been used, but is not so reliable as the 
above. In Abyssinia, where the tape-worm is very 
common, they depend on the dried flowers of a tree, 
kousso — brayera anthelmintica. Half an ounce of 
the powdered flowers are mixed in water, and taken 
every morning — the sediment being taken with the 
draught. Another remedy of great reputation is male 
fern, from one half drachm to a drachm, in divided 
doses, in the course of a few hours. Of the oil one 
to two drachms in mucilage ; of the extract twenty to 
thirty grains. This is usually given in milk. Large 
doses of oil of turpentine, from one to four table- 
spoonfuls at a dose, is a remedy that has maintained a 
reputation for many years. This usually produces 
symptoms of intoxication and active purging, often 
difficult urinating, yet the bad symptoms soon pass 



TRICHINA SPIRALIS. 337 



Trichina Spiralis. 



off. The doses here referred to are for the adult — 
proportionally smaller doses for children. The above 
embodies all the most approved remedies against 
tape-worm known to the profession. 

TRICHINA SPIRALIS. 

This terrible scourge has doubtless existed from 
the earliest ages, and many cases supposed to be 
typhoid fever and rheumatism of an anomalous char- 
acter, were no doubt the result of the spread of these 
worms through the muscles of the body — the real 
cause of the disease not being suspected. They were 
discovered by Paget, and described by Owen in 1835. 
Professor Zenker, of Dresden, was the first to ascer- 
tain the source of the trichinal disease. They have 
been found in the muscles at the rate of eighty-four 
thousand to the cubic inch. They vary in size from 
A of an inch long, 9 i of an inch thick, to £2 of an 
inch long, and 6 io of an inch thick. Dr. Flint found 
in a piece of human muscle sent from Iowa, at the 
rate of 208,000 to the cubic inch. In experiments 
made by feeding trichinous muscle to animals it is 
found that they breed in the bowels at the rate 
of from 200 to 1000 for every trichina taken into 
the stomach, and this in the short period of ten days. 
These little parasites perforate the mucous surface 
of the bowels, and immediately direct their course to 
the muscles. 

29 



338 woman's monitor. 



Sy.nptoms of Trichinae. Treatment. 

The first symptoms of their presence is colic pains, 
with diarrhea and vomiting, caused by the irritation 
of their presence in the tissues of the bowels. If the 
patient survive this, pains, like rheumatism, with 
hardened and contracted muscles next, wear out the 
patient with intolerable suffering. Little can be done 
after they have left the bowels but to support the 
system, and render life tolerable with anodynes. If 
the patient can endure the pain and irritation until 
the worms become encysted, that is, inclosed in a 
sack — a process of nature to keep down the irrita- 
tion — then the patient makes a partial recovery. 

Treatment. — If the nature of the case is discovered 
before the young trichina have commenced to emi- 
grate, active cathartics should be given. Professor 
Mosler, of Berlin, recommends benzine; it destroys 
the trichina when given in such doses as to be readily 
borne by the patient. He gives it after the follow- 
ing formula : Benzine, two drachms ; an ounce each 
of licorice-juice and mucilage of gum arabic, and 
four ounces of peppermint water. Of this mixture 
give one table-spoonful every hour or two. Dr. Flint 
says the efficiency of this remedy in man remains to 
be established. The carbolic acid, in full doses, 
should be tried. Recovery will depend much upon 
the ability of the patient to endure the irritation 
until they become encysted. 

These worms are derived principally from pork, 



URINARY DIFFICULTIES. 339 

Derived from Pork. 

and no process of smoking, pickling, or salting can 
be. relied upon to destroy the worms. Nothing short 
of 192° Fahrenheit is safe. I have found them in 
large numbers near the bone of meat bought in our 
market, and, after examining several specimens from 
different shops, found that few hogs raised about 
town are free from the parasites. This is no doubt 
due to their devouring the dead rats and cats found 
about the alleys, as well as the excrements of such 
a source, from which it is probable most of the 
trichina of swine is derived. Hog cholera is believed 
to be acute trichiniasis ; and it is patent to every 
careful observer that this filthy animal will eat the 
excrement of its sick neighbors, containing undigested 
grain, and no doubt millions of trichina, and in turn 
become afflicted. I am not informed to what extent 
the excrements of swine afflicted with hog cholera 
have been examined with the microscope, but believe 
here is a field for research that would pay for investi- 
gation. I have introduced this article on trichina to 
call attention of mothers to the necessity of thor- 
oughly cooking, to the very center, all the flesh they 
set before their children or friends. 

URINARY DIFFICULTIES. 

It sometimes happens that young infants fail to 
urinate from deficient action of the kidneys. A tea- 
spoonful of tea from the parsley root every half-hour, 



340 woman's monitor. 



Treatment for Urinary Difficulties. 



or juniper berries, one table-spoonful to a teacup full 
of boiling water, given in tea-spoonful doses every 
three hours, will usually soon relieve the little one. 
Five to twenty drops of sweet spirits of niter, accord- 
ing to age, given in a little sweetened water, is also 
excellent. For older children these doses must be 
increased. A powerful agent to act on the kidneys 
of persons of mature years is table-spoonful doses of 
a tea made by putting one teacup full of boiling 
water on from half a dozen to a dozen honey-bees. 
The dose may be repeated every three hours. In- 
fants sometimes fail to urinate because the foreskin 
is closed over the organ, obstructing the passage. 
Such require the assistance of a surgeon. Many 
children do not retain their urine well, especially at 
night ; this may arise from a relaxed condition of the 
sphincter of the bladder, or from irritability of the 
bladder. Where the latter cause is operating, indi- 
gestion, causing acid by fermentation, and hence an 
acrid state of the urine, is usually the cause of the 
irritability. Small doses of soda should be given for 
immediate relief, and the tone of the stomach im- 
proved by appropriate remedies, and care in diet. 
Sometimes this trouble is kept up by worms in the 
bowels ; these should be removed. In other cases it 
is the result of habit, which may be broken up by 
proper moral restraint. This is especially true of 
those children who soil their bed ; it usually occurs 



SCROFULA. 341 



Avoid False Modesty. 



about the same hour every night. If compelled to 
arise and evacuate the bladder the habit may be 
broken up. Where the incontinence is from relax- 
ation the accident may occur during the day, but is 
more likely to occur at night, while sleeping soundly. 
Those who have incontinence during dreams are 
usually onanists, or masturbators, and their dreams 
are of an erotic character. It is astonishing at what 
an early age children are troubled in this way; some- 
times as early as eight to twelve years. These 
should be treated as recommended when speaking of 
private vice. The remarks there made when speak- 
ing of female offenders will apply also to males. 
Mothers, do not allow false modesty to prevent you 
from doing your duty in such cases. When in doubt 
as to the best course to pursue, consult a physician. 
It must not be forgotten in the investigation of these 
cases that the irritation of seat-worms, distension 
of the bladder, or the acrid character of the urine, 
may be the cause of dreams leading to voluntary 
effort to urinate during sleep. 

SCROFULA. 

This terrible malady exists in every grade of se- 
verity, and stamps its peculiar impress upon nearly 
every disease that can afflict children. Some suppose 
it to originate in the peculiar constitutional condition 
inherited by the children of syphilitic parents, who 



342 woman's monitor. 



Causes of Scrofula. 



have not entailed a true syphilitic trouble, but that 
this disease in the form of scrofula runs through 
many consecutive generations. Others claim a large 
portion of the disease is due to the injudicious use 
of mercury and similar poisons as medicine, deterio- 
rating the original elementary tissues of the parent, 
and enfeebling the offspring, while others attribute 
the origin of this disease to marriage of blood rela- 
tions, deteriorating the vitality of the stock. No 
doubt these causes are all capable of so lowering the 
vitality of the offspring as to produce the disease or 
strongly predispose to it. So will every vice of the 
constitution, as purulent poisoning from wounds, se- 
vere sickness, as typhus or typhoid fever, or other 
disease, and the children of those who at the period 
of conception were imperfectly recovered from dis- 
ease, will be likely to be scrofulous. 

We now propose to enumerate some of the diseases 
that are recognized by physicians as originating in a 
scrofulous condition, a condition of constitution very 
closely allied to the cancerous. White swelling, or 
scrofulous disease of the bones and cartilage, with de- 
struction of soft parts, hip-joint disease, consumption, 
sore eyes, ulceration of the ears, abscesses in the 
groin and arm-pits, enlargement of the glands of the 
neck, or king's evil, enlarged tonsils, severe catarrh in 
the nose, and a host of skin diseases, besides several 
forms of tumors, malignant and benign, maintain a 



SCROFULA. 343 



Diseases arising from a Scrofulous Condition. 



close analogy to this subject. Hence, after some gen- 
eral remarks, we must be content with calling atten- 
tion to a few of the most common forms of scrofu- 
lous disease. The presence of this element is manifest 
by the diseases above enumerated, with many more of 
a similar character, and these local manifestations of 
the constitutional vice are developed by bad air, un- 
wholesome food, dampness and filth, depressing men- 
tal emotions, and by every form of disease incidental 
to humanity, for the scrofulous child is more prone to 
contract disease and less able to resist its destructive 
power. All inflammations in scrofulous subjects are 
slow in their progress, and do not show violent symp- 
toms during the formation of matter, or the deposit 
of curdy-like substance called tubercle, a process 
which in the scrofulous child is substituted for the 
plastic deposits, which either become organized, 
gluing the parts together, or are rapidly absorbed 
in the healthy subject. Suppuration does not result 
in true pus, but in a thin puruloid fluid, containing 
curd-like matter, and the cavities formed in this way 
are slow to fill with granulation, often break down 
surrounding structure, and join to other cavities, 
forming long tortuous sinuses, as in some forms of 
white swelling about the joints and in the lungs in 
consumption. It is evident that the malignancy of 
this destructive process must depend upon the depth 
of the scrofulous tendency in the system. Hence 



344 woman's monitor. 



Signs and Treatment of Scrofula. 



some cases are curable, others are not. Scrofulous 
children are at times very smart and active when 
young, often have a clear skin, and develop rapidly. 
These are likely to fall victims to consumption in 
after life. A strong, marked scrofulous habit may 
be known by a sallow countenance, cheeks full, tumid, 
and flaccid, hair coarse and often dark-colored, lips 
thick and liable to chap, skin harsh and subject to 
eruptions, eyes dull and watery, eyelids full and 
drooping, and countenance dull and heavy; digestion 
is slow and imperfect, bowels usually torpid, and 
these children possess but little ability to withstand 
changes of temperature. 

Treatment. — The general treatment of all forms of 
scrofulous diseases is the same — fresh air, whole- 
some food, consisting of meat, brown bread, fruit, 
eggs, and such food as tends best to support nutri- 
tion at its highest point. These, with cheerful sur- 
roundings and change of scenery, careful bathing, and 
plenty of exercise, will give the best chance of avoid- 
ing those destructive local inflammations which de- 
stroy so many children. The internal use of the 
hypo-phosphites, as a sirup of the hypo-phosphites, 
of potassa, soda, iron, and lime, or some preparation 
of Peruvian bark and iron, given three times daily, 
are excellent, especially in malarious districts. From 
two to three drops, depending upon age, of the sirup 
of iodide of iron, given after meals, is often useful, 



king's evil. 345 



Treatment Continued King's Evil. 

so is the iodide of starch, or of lime, in appropriate 
doses. Sarsaparilla, yellow dock, burdock, stillingia, 
etc., are also very good remedies. Compound sirup 
of stillingia with one drachm of iodide of potassium 
to the pint is an excellent remedy. The dose is one 
tea-spoonful to a child twelve years old, less in pro- 
portion to age of child. At times it is best to give 
some of these alteratives, and at the same time give 
some preparation of bark and iron. By a steady 
course of medicine for many months, leaving an in- 
terval of a few months, and then resuming or chang- 
ing the medicine above recommended, all of which 
can be procured of any apothecary, you will assist 
even bad cases to outgrow the difficulty and prevent 
severe disease. If injury or local inflammation has 
already caused some severe local lesion, the same gen- 
eral treatment will be proper with such local dressing 
as the case may require. 

KING'S EVIL. 

This is a scrofulous disease of the glands about the 
neck. The treatment may be pursued for several 
weeks, as recommended in the article on scrofula, 
then apply a wash or ointment of iodine, as com- 
pound tincture of iodine, one part, glycerine, three 
parts — hog's lard may be substituted for the glyc- 
erine — then the iodine has to be rubbed into the 
lard with a case-knife or spatula. This may be 



346 woman's monitor. 



Big Neck. Enlarged Tonsils. 

rubbed upon the swollen glands twice daily. An 
ointment of black walnut hulls is said to be excel- 
lent to discuss these tumors. I have often removed 
them with a plaster, made by boiling squills in com- 
mon lye until the squills are dissolved. This may be 
spread upon cloth and bound upon the tumors. It 
appears at times to promote suppuration, and this is 
better than driving the matter into the blood. But 
those tumors that do not suppurate are usually speed- 
ily removed. Never apply any thing to the swollen 
glands until some weeks after commencing the treat- 
ment by internal remedies. 

BIG NECK 

may be removed by the internal use of the same 
remedies recommended for scrofula and the perse- 
vering use of the compound ointment of iodine so 
diluted with lard that it will not irritate the skin. 
It should be continued several months if necessary. 

ENLARGED TONSILS. 

This disease seldom afflicts children who are not of 
the scrofulous habit. Moderate enlargement may be 
of no special consequence, and may disappear as the 
child grows older, but when the enlargement is sufli 
cient to cause the child to breathe through the mouth, 
especially at night, its health will be injured, by broken 
rest, by injury to the respiratory organs, from difficult 



ENLARGED TONSILS. 347 

Treatment for Enlarged Tonsils. 

breathing, and by the impression upon the system for 
want of proper oxygenation, which is often quite 
manifest in the experience of the patient when the 
glands are swollen from inflammation. The shape of 
the chest known as a pigeon-breast is usually pro- 
duced by the difficulty of breathing incidental to en- 
larged tonsils. Enlarged tonsils not only mechan- 
ically interfere with the passage of air into the lungs, 
but they keep up a constant irritation, and thus as- 
sist to develop disease of the lungs, also of the 
throat. By extension of the disease from the throat, 
along the eustachian tube, leading from the throat 
to the inner ear, they become a fruitful source of 
deafness, to say nothing of the numerous cases of 
partial deafness, caused by the pressure of the en- 
larged glands upon the opening of the eustachian 
tubes. 

Treatment. — The same general treatment as for 
scrofulous children. Locally, nitrate of silver pen- 
ciling, or touching w r ith tincture of iodine may be 
tried. These, however, are more difficult and more 
painful than the removal of the enlarged glands w T ith 
a properly constructed instrument, which is no more 
painful or difficult to perform than a single application 
with the pencil. This is an operation that no parent 
who has children with enlarged tonsils should neglect 
to have performed at as early a day as possible. 
Persons who have been accustomed to make light 



348 woman's monitor. 



Treatment for Quinsy. 



of this disease should read on that subject West 
on the Diseases of Infancy and Childhood. 

QUINSY 

is inflammation and suppuration of the tonsils. It 
seldom occurs before the twelfth year; yet inflam- 
mation without suppuration is very common among 
children. This affection of the throat is generally 
caused by exposure to cold and damp, or by the use 
of cold drinks while the body is overheated. 

Treatment. — A moderate dose of salts should be 
given, though the child be still at the breast. This 
may be repeated in small doses every four hours 
until the bowels are w r ell moved. A liniment made 
by putting one tea-spoonful of turpentine, and two of 
aqua ammonia, in an ounce of sweet-oil, may be applied 
to the throat. After this from half a grain to three 
grains of sal ammoniac, dissolved in water, may be 
givenevery four hours; the age of the child govern- 
ing the dose. 

SCALD HEAD. 

This disgusting affection is one of the pests of child- 
hood, and sometimes afflicts persons of mature years. 
It occurs usually on the scalp, but may be trans- 
planted to other parts of the body by the nails, 
clothing, towels, combs, or flesh-brush. It may orig- 
inate spontaneously in certain conditions of the con- 



SCALD HEAD. 349 



Symptoms of Scald Head. 



stitution, and beyond doubt may be communicated 
from one person to another by contact of matter, as 
by using the same towel or brush. There are several 
varieties of the disease. We will describe the most 
common form, as it will serve as a type of the rest; 
they all originate in a similar manner, and are amen- 
able to about the same treatment. 

Symptoms. — It commences with an eruption of 
minute, round, yellow pustules, which appear to be 
imbedded in the skin. A yellow fluid oozes forth, 
and concretes into a scab, with a depression in the 
center. This spreads until, in some cases, the entire 
scalp is covered with one great scab, with numerous 
checks, from which issues a fetid, sanies matter, 
which has a nauseous odor, somewhat resembling the 
urine of the cat. This concreting upon the surface 
renders the scab thicker. Beneath this scab the 
matter burrows, after formirg abscesses of consider- 
able depth. The matter is often absorbed, causing 
abscesses in the lymphatic glands about the neck, 
and not unfrequently developing serious constitutional 
symptoms. The hair is usually reproduced after a 
cure has been effected, except at such points as were 
so seriously diseased as to destroy the hair-bulbs. It 
often happens that the hair does not come in again 
of the same character and color as before. In neg- 
lected cases almost entire baldness may result. The 
itching is intolerable, and in some cases the fever and 



350 woman's monitor. 



Cause and Treatment of Scald Head. 



resulting anaemia wears out the child, or renders it an 
easy prey to other diseases. It is now generally con- 
ceded that this disease is caused by the growth upon 
the surface of sporules of a microscopic vegetable 
fungus. The disease appears to have a preference 
for scrofulous children, and in many cases has ap- 
peared to me to produce scrofulous tendencies, or de- 
velop that disease in some form by poisoning the 
blood. 

Treatment. — Improve the general health by occa- 
sional purging, and great care in diet, avoiding grease, 
but allowing beef, eggs, and fruits; also, sugar in 
abundance. Some preparation of iron should be 
given, also iodine. In many cases a few drops three 
times of sirup of iodide of iron is excellent. Com- 
pound sirup of stillingia, with one drachm of iodide 
of potassium to the half pint, has no superior as a 
renovator of the blood in such cases. Any druggist 
can prepare it, and direct as to dose to suit the age 
of the child. The hair should be cut short, and the 
scalp washed twice daily, with Castile soap and soft 
water. In addition to the bathing, diet, and clean- 
liness above recommended, at times, some bitters as 
quassia, gentian, or Peruvian bark, may be necessary. 
After washing with the soap, wetting the surface two 
or three times daily with concentrated acetic acid, 
diluted with three or four times its weight of soft 
water, or (what I prefer) washing the part as often 



DEAFNESS. 351 



Various Causes of Deafness. 



with the crude pyroligneous acid. It will seldom 
fail to cure speedily. 

DEAFNESS. 

Inflammation of the ear-drum, from cold or foreign 
bodies, may lead to thickening of that membrane, 
and consequently cause deafness. Ulceration, the 
sequel of inflammation, may destroy the drum of the 
ear, and cause deafness, which may be partially re- 
lieved by introducing an artificial ear-drum. Diph- 
theria, putrid sore-throat, and scarlet fever, often ruin 
the hearing in consequence of the inflammation ex- 
tending to the labyrinth of the ear, and leaving 
chronic disease there, or so injuring the structure 
of the parts as to impair the hearing. The same 
cause may close the eustachian tubes by thickening 
the lining membrane, and thus exclude air from the 
labyrinth. Enlarged tonsils, by pressing on the 
throat extremity of the eustachian tube, impairs the 
hearing of many children. Inflammation of the brain 
or its membranes may injure the origin of the nerve 
of hearing, or cause plastic deposit to press upon the 
nerve in such a manner as permanently to destroy 
the ability to distinguish sounds. So varied are the 
causes of deafness, and so complicated the diseases 
of the delicate structure of the organ of hearing, that 
none but the educated physician should treat dis- 
eases of the ear. 



352 woman's monitor. 



Treatment for Sore Ears and Ear-Ache. 



SORE EARS 

are sometimes accompanied with offensive discharges, 
They should be kept clean with a syringe and soap- 
suds, made from Castile soap, and washed daily with 
a solution of carbolic acid one-half to one grain to 
the ounce of water. The syringe should not have 
a bulb on the nozzle, as by fitting the passage to the 
ear-drum, and preventing the free return of the liquid, 
the drum might be ruptured. 

EAR-ACHE 

may be relieved by a poultice of hops, poppy flower 
leaves, or camomile flowers, applied to the ear. In 
severe cases, dissolve one grain of morphia in an 
ounce of glycerine, and apply a few drops in the ear, 
or one part of laudanum with two of sweet-oil may 
be used, if more convenient; but it is not so good. 

SORE EYES. 

Children are subject to sore eyes of every conceiv 
able character, in some cases occurring at a very 
early age, caused by exposure to strong light, the 
careless use of soap in washing, or the contact of 
acrid vaginal secretions when passing through the 
pelvis. Mothers afflicted with leucorrhcea should 
have the vagina thoroughly cleansed with soft water 
to remove irritating secretion, and the infant's eyes 



SORE EYES. 353 



Treatment for Sore Eyes. 

should receive immediate attention, with a soft rag 
and warm water. If inflammation arise, great care 
in cleansing with soft water should be observed. 
Breast milk is a popular remedy. If the eyes are 
swollen, and discharge matter, wash them three times 
daily for a few moments with a tea made from the 
leaf of the poppy flower, adding to every ounce half a 
grain of nitrate of silver, or one-eighth of a grain of 
corrosive sublimate, or one grain of white vitriol. 
These are all excellent. If the poppy flowers can 
not be procured, dissolve the agents above named in 
pure soft water, and lave the eyes well three times 
daily, being careful to open the eyelids so that the 
wash may reach the eyes. 

Scrofulous cases require but little local attention. 
If painful, poppy-head poultices may be applied. 
Give internally compound sirup of stillingia, with 
one drachm of iodide of potassium to a half pint, in 
doses varying from one-fourth to one tea-spoonful, 
according to age. I have frequently prescribed with 
success a formula found in " Gross's Surgery," for a 
child ten years old : 

R Sulphate quinine ] £ grain. 

Sulphate of iron 1 " 

Tartrate of antimony Y? " 

Opium £ M 

Mix and give at a dose three times daily. 

Any druggist can make the calculation to put up the 
number of powders required, and graduate the dose 

BO 



354 woman's monitor. 



Inflammation of the Eyes. Cross-Eyes. 

to the age of "the child. These medicines may be pre- 
pared in solution, substituting laudanum for the opium. 
Inflammation from injury or irritating substances in 
the eye requires the removal of the exciting cause, 
and the free use of cloths wet with cold water per- 
severingly employed. Sometimes a purge of salts or 
calomel may be necessary. It is a great mistake into 
which physicians sometimes fall to suppose that be- 
cause the eyes are inflamed they require to be treated 
with stimulating eye-washes, regardless of the cause 
and stage of the disease. Many children lose their 
sight from neglected chronic disease, the parents hop- 
ing they would outgrow the trouble. 

CROSS-EYES 

are sometimes caused by disease, sometimes congeni- 
tal. It is seldom that much can be accomplished by 
training without first restoring antagonism of the mus- 
cles. It is proper to delay in cases caused by spasms 
or other disease, until the cause is removed and Nat- 
ure has had time for repairing as far as she will, un- 
assisted. The eye most at fault usually grows weak, 
and an early operation holds out the best prospect of 
permanent cure. The operation is not severe and not 
at all dangerous. 

HARELIP, 

if the palate is not cleft, may be perfectly restored. 
In case the palate is cleft, much benefit may be de- 



FROST-BITES AND CHILBLAINS. 355 



Treatment for Harelip. Frost-Bites, etc. 

rived from an operation. The question most perplex- 
ing to parents is at what age the operation should be 
performed. Some surgeons approve of delay, others 
early operation. If the child is healthy, and espe- 
cially if the palate is cleft, we think an early opera- 
tion the best. We have operated as early as the 
sixth week and as late as the twentieth year. All 
circumstances being equal, we prefer an early opera- 
tion. 

FROST-BITES AND CHILBLAINS. 

Children who have been frost-bitten should not ap- 
proach the fire until the circulation is restored. They 
should be warmed slowly, bathing the frosted parts 
in cold water or rubbing them with snow. As soon 
as the frost is out and the burning pain commences, 
apply one part of turpentine and four parts of sweet- 
oil or diluted tincture of camphor, and cover the 
parts with carded cotton. If the parts assume a 
red or dark-purple and swollen appearance, apply 
three times in twenty-four hours equal parts of glyc- 
erine and compound tincture of iodine. In very pain- 
ful cases take 



of lead 1 drachm. 

Laudanum 1 ounce. 

Soft water 3 « 

Mix. Wet a soft cloth and bind on the part. 

Many other remedies have been recommended for 
frost-bites, but the above will usually cure. 



356 woman's monitor. 



Boils. Ringworm, 

BOILS 

are especially prone to afflict children about the pe- 
riod of teething and when recovering from eruptive 
fevers. The cause appears to be a septic condition 
of the blood. 

Treatment. — Frequent soda-water baths and the 
free use of chlorate of pota&sa solution. All abnor- 
mal conditions of the liver, stomach, and bowels 
should be corrected by careful diet and occasional 
purging. Never attempt to check the development 
of a boil, but hasten it with warm poultices, and re- 
lieve the pain and tension by incision as soon as pur- 
ulent matter is formed. 

RINGWORM. 

This belongs to the same class of diseases with 
shingles — a class called by physicians herpes. It is 
so named from the circular form of the blotch. All 
that class of diseases have a similar origin, and re- 
quire about the same treatment. I use the names I 
think will be most readily recognized by the people. 
Such diseases originate sometimes from sudden sup- 
pression of perspiration; from the habitual use of too 
much oily food, as fat pork, short-cakes, pies, dough- 
nuts, etc. Especially have I seen such diseases ap- 
pear to prevail as an epidemic in neighborhoods where 
the children were almost daily feasting on walnuts, 



TETTER. 357 



Ringworm. Tetter. 

butternuts, or shell-bark nuts. If the blood is 
charged with the poisonous material necessary to 
the production of disease, it may be excited by a 
sudden cold, severe anger or fright, or any severe 
mental emotion. 

Treatment. — Care in diet, frequent bathing, light 
purging by small doses of salts, and the free use of 
solution of chlorate of potassa is all the internal 
treatment usually required. The eruption may be 
touched with a solution of nitrate of silver, twenty 
grains to the ounce, or a solution of sulphate of zinc 
(white vitriol) may be made by dissolving two drachms 
in one-half pint of soft water and binding a cloth wet 
with the solution on the parts affected. 

TETTER. 

This disease of the skin is very common among 
children, and may be reduced to two classes — the wet 
and the dry or scaly. In moist tetter the pustules 
are slightly elevated, and in two or three days after 
their formation they burst and discharge their con- 
tents, leaving a red, shiny surface. When from 
neglect or mismanagement the disease is allowed to 
proceed, it may extend over a whole limb, which be- 
comes incrusted in one continuous covering. When 
the disease extends to the hands or feet, ulcerations 
are apt to occur about the roots of the nails. The 
nails drop off and are succeeded by others of imper- 



358 woman's monitor. 



Treatment for Tetter. Common Itch. 

feet and irregular form. The scaly variety is not at- 
tended with such intolerable itching as the moist 
tetter. Its general symptoms are too well known to 
require repeating here. The treatment of both va- 
rieties may very properly begin with a brisk cathartic 
of calomel or podophyllin and leptandrin, afterward 
the bowels should be kept open with small doses of 
Epsom salts. In moist tetter a wash made by adding 
one drachm of bismuth to one ounce of glycerine, 
to which one-half ounce of the watery extract of 
opium should be added if the pain and itching are 
severe, will be all the local treatment required. This 
may be frequently applied. Glycerine and rose-water, 
equal parts, is all the local treatment usually neces- 
sary for dry tetter. If these means fail Fowler's so- 
lution of arsenic, decoction of bitter sweet, the sul- 
phur vapor bath, and hydrocyanic acid ointment may 
be tried under direction of the family physician. 

COMMON ITCH. 

The itch makes its appearance on the wrists, backs 
of the hands, or between the fingers, from which it 
is often transplanted to the arm-pits, flexures of the 
joints, and indeed to any part of the body w T here the 
living insect, which causes the pustule or its germs, 
are brought in contact with the skin. When the skin 
is very thin and delicate the disease spreads more 
readily. If the blood is charged with some morbid 



COMMON ITCH. 359 



Treatment for Common Itch. 



humor, as scrofula, the irritation they create will be 
much greater and the local disease much more severe, 
but in all cases it produces an intolerable itching, 
especially when the patient is warm in bed. 

Treatment. — The afflicted person should abstain 
from pork and all high-seasoned food, if the inflam- 
mation in the parts affected runs high, and should 
be kept away from those not afflicted. If the pus- 
tule is examined with a good glass it will be found 
that at its summit is a very small aperture. From 
the pustule to a short distance on one side leads a 
little tunnel, which marks the track of the parasite. 
Through this he receives air; and it is said all that is 
necessary is to rub thoroughly with lard or tallow 
twice daily for three or four days and then change 
every garment, all bedding, etc., to insure a cure. I 
have but a limited experience in this method of treat- 
ment. Sulphur ointment from time immemorial has 
been regarded as a specific, but it is very filthy. A 
less filthy and equally certain remedy is prepared by 
boiling together a quantity of sulphur and quick- 
lime. The water becomes saturated with a crude 
sulphuret of lime. A few washings with this cures 
the worst cases of genuine itch. It is very offensive 
to the nostrils, and hence the profession has sought 
for substitutes. A solution of carbolic acid crystals, 
one to three grains to the ounce of water, is a very 
certain means of exterminating these pests. It 



360 woman's monitor. 



Treatment for Chafing, Scalds, and Burns. 



should be thoroughly applied twice daily for one 
week. Frequent bathing and complete change of rai- 
ment should n«rt be neglected. 

CHAFING OR GALLING OF INFANTS. 

Many infants are rendered miserable and fretful by 
galling about the groin, arm-pits, and neck, and all 
the ingenuity of the nurse, with starch, etc., can not 
dry up the watery discharge from the skin. Such 
cases may be speedily cured by wetting the parts 
two or three times daily with 

Lime-water , 4 ounces. 

Corrosive sublimate 4 grains. 

Mix. This may be reduced with water to half strength 
for very tender infants. 

SCALDS AND BURNS. 

If one-third of the body is burnt over so as to de- 
stroy the integrity of the skin, the case usually ter- 
minates fatally, even in the best constitutions, though 
they may survive for several weeks. Feeble persons 
often die from shock, convulsions, or other cause from 
less extensive burns. The first general treatment is 
to secure reaction by wine or other gentle stimulants. 
Small doses of laudanum or morphia, repeated every 
hour or two, are often the best support for the shat- 
tered nerves under such circumstances. Diluted pep- 
permint essence or whisky is as grateful as any local 
application. 'Carded cotton is often gratefully re- 
ceived by the patient, as it excludes air from the 



WARTS MOLES. 361 



Warts. 



surface. Rags spread with tallow or lard are better 
than the cotton, because more easily removed w T hen 
suppuration has commenced. After sloughing begins 
the parts should be frequently bathed with soft water 
and Castile soap. Equal parts of lime-water and flax- 
seed-oil is a very popular dressing. It is more filthy 
than lard and no better. For a superficial burn or 
scald equal parts of the white of eggs and glycerine 
is an excellent dressing. 

WARTS. 

These unsightly growths are quite common on the 
hands of children. They sometimes go away spon- 
taneously, but they generally have to be removed. 
This may be effected almost without pain, by securing 
a small phial of saturated solution of caustic potash 
from a druggist, then with a sharp knife shave the 
surface until the blood starts slightly; dip a slender 
rod of soft wood into the solution and w T et the top 
of the wart. After one minute wipe the part, and 
repeat. In two minutes the wart can easily be re- 
moved by pressure in a jelly-like mass. The part 
should then be washed in vinegar, to stop the action 
of the alkali. Great care should be used to prevent 
the caustic touching the sound skin. 

MOLES 

may be removed in the same manner, though I prefer 
a similar application of strong nitric acid for such 

31 



362 woman's monitor. 



1 6 Remove Moles. Coins. . Poisons. 

growths. The parts should be washed afterward 
with soda-water. Any simple ointment will suffice 
for a dressing. Never attempt the use of these 
caustics over a large blood-vessel or near the eye. 
The potash solution is the painless corn remedy so 
much hawked about by quacks. Never permit it to 
be applied to a corn. These are but a thickening 
of the cuticle, and require the removal of pressure, 
to be kept thin with a sharp knife, and soft by a rag 
wet with fish-oil. 

POISONS. 

Children not unfrequently swallow poisons acci- 
dentally. In all such cases a physician should be 
sent for. But some knowledge of what to do may 
save life in the rural districts. If poisonous berries 
or fruit have been taken, or any preparation of opium 
or other narcotic poison, secure vomiting immediately; 
if possible, force into the patient, if a child, say ten 
years old, one table-spoonful of ground mustard mixed 
with water or as much pulverized alum or common 
table salt. These are usually at hand and seldom 
fail to secure severe vomiting. Warm water may be 
drank after the vomiting has commenced, to assist in 
cleansing the stomach. If a corrosive poison, as cor- 
rosive sublimate, or some acid, has been taken, vomit- 
ing will usually be excited by the poison. This will 
be true of arsenic if in large doses. If vomiting 



WOUNDS BITE OF POISONOUS REPTILES, ETC. 363 

Treatment for Poisoning. Wounds, etc. 

does not speedily occur, it should be excited as 
above directed. In these cases also give soap-suds 
or white of eggs. Do not falter, but give them with 
a firm hand. If alkalies, as soda or strong lye, have 
been taken, give some kind of grease, lard, or sweet- 
oil, in large quantities. 

WOUNDS 

FROM THE STING OF BEES, WASPS, HORNETS, YELLOW-JACKETS, FLIES, 
SPIDERS, AND MOSQUITOES, ETC. 

If sickness or fainting result give whisky, brandy, 
wine, or spirits hartshorn. The wound should be 
dressed with Cologne water, solution of sugar of lead, 
tincture of iodine, laudanum, spirits of turpentine, or 
better, spirits of hartshorn. 

SCORPION STING. 

Give stimulus as above directed, and wash the 
wound with salt water, or volatile liniment, (harts- 
horn and sweet-oil,) and cover with a poultice. 

BITE OF POISONOUS REPTILES, SNAKES, ETC. 

Internally, whisky or other alcoholic stimulus, 
till the patient is thoroughly drunk, a few drops 
of liquid hartshorn, with every portion of stimulant, 
is highly recommended. The mouth should be im- 
mediately applied to the wound, and as much blood 
as possible drawn in that way. The wound may 



364 woman's monitok. 



Treatment for Bites of Poisonous Reptiles and Rabid Animals. 

then be dressed with equal parts of sweet-oil and 
spirits of hartshorn, or with compound tincture of 
iodine. We give below the formula for Prof. Bibron's 
rattlesnake antidote, which is said by United States 
army surgeons to be the best remedy yet invented 
for serpent bites : 

]£ Bromine 5 drachms. 

Corrosive sublimate 2 grains. 

Iodide of potassium 4 " 

Mix. Keep in a bottle with a ground-glass stopper. 
Dose, ten drops, repeated every twenty minutes. 

BITE OF RABID ANIMALS. 

Contact of saliva from a mad dog with a wound on 
the body may cause hydrophobia. Its period of 
latency is from a few weeks to several months. It 
is probable that the poison is speedily absorbed. As 
no cure is known attention must be directed to pre- 
vention. A dog supposed to be mad, if it has bit- 
ten any one, should not be killed, but properly 
secured, and its course closely observed. The injured 
part should, if possible, be cut out immediately 
after the injury. The flow of blood should then be 
encouraged with a cupping glass, and the raw surface 
swabbed with tincture of iodine. It is a consoling 
reflection that not one in five bitten by animals 
undoubtedly mad are ever afflicted with hydro- 
phobia. 



CUTS PUNCTURED WOUNDS. 365 

Cuts. Punctured Wounds, etc 

CUTS, 

if about the face, should be dressed by a surgeon 
with stitches and adhesive plaster, to prevent scars. 
Ordinary flesh wounds may be drawn together and 
secured with adhesive plaster after the bleeding has 
ceased, and the blood-clot has been washed away; 
a perfect union in a few days may be expected. No 
stimulants nor ointments should be applied. If a 
wound bleeds freely — dark blood running in a steady 
stream — veins have been divided. Press upon the 
part on the side of the wound farthest from the heart; 
the flow of blood will soon cease ; cold water may be 
applied. The wound may then be dressed as above 
directed. If bright-red blood flows, in spurts or jets, 
an artery has been divided. Press upon the pulse 
between the heart and the wound, or place a cord 
around the limb, and twist tightly with a stick, and 
send for a surgeon, as the artery must be tied. 

PUNCTURED WOUNDS, 

as from stepping on rusty nails and similar sub- 
stances, are sometimes dangerous. The first serious 
symptom should be the signal for calling a surgeon. 
The wound should be cleansed to remove all dirt, and 
a poultice applied. If the wound is painful wash 
with strong solution of morphia. 



366 woman's monitor. 



Treatment for Sprains. 



BRUISES 
sometimes result in abscess, when neglected. First 
apply cold water. If the parts assume a dark color, 
use warm salt water, or tincture of arnica. 

SPRAINS 

are injuries received to structure about joints, some- 
times slight, at others severe. The ligaments being 
put upon the stretch, are partly lacerated, and at 
times muscular fibers are broken. 

Treatment. — Secure an easy position for the part, 
and keep it at perfect rest. Apply cold water until 
the inflammation has subsided. Warm salt water, or 
tincture of arnica, will then be more grateful to the 
parts. In some cases, especially in the rheumatic hab- 
it, pain and tenderness remain for a long time, being 
worse in damp weather. Thorough bathing, several 
times daily, with old herring-brine, is good treatment, 
probably on account of the propylamine it contains. 

DISLOCATIONS 

may be known by deformity of parts, and severe pain 
on attempting to move the dislocated joints, with 
rapid swelling, and impaired function of the limb. 

FRACTURES 

furnish the same symptoms as dislocations, and, in 
addition, by careful listening while the limb is moved, 



RUPTURE. 367 



Fractures. Treatment of Rupture. 

a grating noise (caused by the rubbing together of 
the fragments of the broken bone) may be heard. 
Nature is longer effecting a perfect cure of dislocation 
than of fracture. I introduce these subjects here to 
put parents on their guard, as I have frequently been 
consulted as to fractures and dislocations occurring in 
small children that had been neglected so long that 
permanent deformity was inevitable. Where any 
doubts exist a surgeon should be consulted. 

RUPTURE. 

This is a protrusion of the fatty apron that covers 
the front of the bowels, sometimes accompanied with 
a portion of the intestine. It has been found to 
exist at birth, and where it occurs in early life it is 
probable there existed an imperfect condition of ilie 
parts. Sometimes the protrusion is at the navel ; in 
other cases at the groin. When at the navel all that 
will usually be necessary is to stitch to the under 
surface of the belly-band a small section of a gum- 
elastic ball, and retain the elastic upon the parts. In 
some cases adhesive straps may be necessary to secure 
the dressing in position. A truss will be necessary 
to secure in place the parts that come down at the 
groin. As this form of rupture is often double, a 
double truss may be required. It is difficult to keep 
a truss upon a child until it is three or four years 
old ; but the chances of a permanent cure will be 



368 woman's monitor. 



Foreign Substances in the Nose and Ear. 



much increased by securing the parts in position as 
early as possible by an appropriate truss. This should 
be selected and adjusted by skillful hands. 

FOREIGN BODIES IN THE NOSE. 

Children often put corn, peas, pebbles, buttons, or 
other bodies, up the nostrils so far that it is difficult 
for the parent to get them out without a properly 
constructed instrument. They should not be forced 
back into the throat, as the larynx being open at the 
moment the body passed into the throat, it might 
pass into the air-tube. Nor should these substances 
be allowed to remain, as serious injury would be 
likely to result to the lining membrane of the nose. 
If a proper instrument is not at hand the child 
should be taken to a surgeon, who will readily re- 
move it without injury to the parts. 

FOREIGN BODIES IN THE EAR. 

Children are liable to get bugs, spiders, flies, and 
other insects in the ear. They also frequently put 
foreign bodies in the ear. Parents should try to re- 
move these with a small pair of tweezers, or by bend- 
ing a fine wire, so as to secure the offending substance 
in a loop. Great care should be exercised not to 
push the body against the ear-drum, and not to touch 
that membrane with the instrument. Bungling ef- 
forts of this kind often injure the hearing for life. 



FOREIGN BODIES IN THROAT AND (ESOPHAGUS. 369 

Foreign Substances in the Throat; 

These agents should not be allowed to remain, as de- 
structive inflammation would be likely to be set up, 
not only endangering the hearing, but life, from exten- 
sion of the inflammation to the brain. I have fre- 
quently removed corn, wheat, insects, beads, and like 
bodies, some of which had remained a long time, and 
on one occasion I removed from the inner ear a small 
pebble that had evaded every effort to extract it at 
the time it was introduced. The attending gentle- 
man thought it might work out, but it worked 
through the drum of the ear, and caused severe dis- 
ease of the bones of the head. Do not rest until 
the offending substance is removed. 

FOREIGN BODIES IN THE THROAT AND 
(ESOPHAGUS. 

Children are liable to get foreign bodies fast in the 
throat. If any article capable of digestion, the doc- 
tor should push it into the stomach with a probang of 
sponge and whalebone. If of such a character as to 
be injurious to the stomach, as pins, needles, buttons, 
etc., a surgeon should be summoned, who will reach 
the offending substance if possible with long, curved 
forceps; if not, all well-equipped surgeons possess 
other devices for extracting such substances from the 
passages to the stomach. 



370 woman's monitor. 



How to Extract Foreign Substances from the Windpipe. 



FOREIGN BODIES IN THE WINDPIPE. 

It occasionally happens that children get some sub- 
stance in the air-tubes, most frequently a pea, bean, 
watermelon-seed, button, grain of corn, wheat, or like 
article. The amount of irritation and the probability 
of spontaneous expulsion will depend in no small de- 
gree upon the nature of the substance. If a bean or 
similar article, it may swell and so far fill the tube 
as to make it difficult for it to be spontaneously ex- 
pelled. 

Treatment. — The books recommend burning feath- 
ers under the child's nose, or giving snuff, to cause 
sneezing; also chloroform, to secure relaxation, and 
suspending by the feet. This may succeed if the 
body is a button, a bullet, or other heavy substance. 
A variety of active emetics have been recommended, 
as tartar emetic or alum. I believe they often do 
harm by forcing the foreign body into one of the 
bronchi and wedging it fast so that no art can reach 
it. We believe it best to trust to nature, unless it 
appears that nature is not likely to succeed; then 
open the throat in the lower part of the neck and re- 
move the offending substance. It is astonishing how 
long such substances are retained and then expelled 
spontaneously. It is quite certain that nature is com- 
petent to cure a large majority of these cases, but at 
times not until the seeds of severe disease have been 



CRIMINAL ABORTION. 371 

Criminal Abortion the Curse of tlie Nation. 

planted in the lungs. The question of operating 
must be governed by the nature of the case and the 
urgency of the symptoms. 

CRIMINAL ABORTION. 

A variety of causes have in all ages and among all 
nations conspired to induce women to endeavor to 
avoid the consequences of sexual intercourse, either 
by the use of some means of prevention or by secur- 
ing the premature discharge of the product of con- 
ception. Silently but surely these disease-producing 
agencies have been at work, destroying the physical 
stamina of mankind, and preparing the way for the 
desolating march of a host of diseases that now 
threaten the extinction of certain nationalities by 
the blighting influence of female weakness and dis- 
ease, predisposing children to sickness and premature 
death. • 

We have in a former chapter spoken plainly as to 
the danger and consequent criminality of all means 
of prevention, except abstinence from intercourse. 
It is now our purpose to speak of the prevalence of 
child-murder — the deep criminality of the practice; 
the causes which lead to it; the excuses for its com- 
mission by its aiders and abettors; the diabolical 
agency by which it is accomplished; its consequences 
to the mother and to the race; the duty of the clergy 
and medical profession with reference to the evil, and 



372 woman's monitor. 



Prevalence and Extent of Child-Murder. 



the manner in which this great scourge to society is 
to be banished from the land. 

PREVALENCE OF CHILD-MURDER. 

The horrid practice of murdering new-born infants 
has existed from the earliest ages, not only among 
the savage and barbarous tribes of Africa, Asia, and 
Oceanica, and the Indians of North and South Amer- 
ica, but among people far advanced in civilization and 
the arts, as the ancient Greeks and Romans, and from 
the earliest dawn of history to the present time among 
the Japanese, Chinese, and other civilized nations of 
pagan Asia. Sometimes infanticide has been enforced 
by law or custom as a restraint upon the rapid increase 
of population, a practice common in China to-day. In 
some cases it has been resorted to as a matter of na- 
tional polity, to prevent society from being taxed, to 
support the feeble and deformed, as under the bloody 
Lycurgian code, and among many tribes of American 
aborigines, where a system of hardening is practiced, 
which destroys all children so feebly constituted as 
to be unable to pass the trying ordeal. Dr. Kane 
assures us that the northern Esquimaux tribes still 
practice infanticide, but not to so great an extent as 
formerly, as the influence of the Lutheran and Mora- 
vian missionaries has improved the morals of the 
people. Among the aborigines of the Caucasus, ac- 
cording to Strabo, illegitimate children were either 



PREVALENCE OF CHILD-MURDER. 373 

Infanticide in Heathen Countries. 

assassinated or sold into slavery. Sanger, in his his- 
tory of prostitution, states that in central Australia 
a habit prevails among the savage nations of destroy- 
ing female children. Dr. Sanger further informs us 
that when Mr. Smith, a missionary, was in the 
suburbs of Canton, in 1812, he made inquiries as to 
the extent of infanticide. A native assured him 
that within a circle of ten miles the children killed 
each year would not exceed five hundred, but in 
some of the neighboring provinces infanticide was 
more prevalent. Among the lower classes the birth 
of a female infant is regarded as a calamity. Sev- 
eral methods are adopted for destroying a child. It 
may be drowned in warm water; its throat may be 
pinched; a wet cloth may be pressed over its mouth; 
it may be choked with rice, or it may be buried 
alive. The Chinese confess that infanticide is prac- 
ticed throughout that vast empire, and is regarded 
as an innocent and proper expedient, to lighten the 
pressure of poverty. Sometimes infanticide has as- 
sumed the form of devotion to some deity, as among 
the ancient Amorites, who caused their children to 
pass through the fire in sacrifice to Moloch ; and 
the Hindoos, who cast their infants into the open 
jaws of the sacred crocodile, in the holy Granges. 
Kind reader, I know these are the victims of pagan 
superstition, acts of atrocity against the laws of God 
and the well-being of society, at which you shudder, 



374 woman's monitor. 



Ante-Natal Infanticide. 



although committed beyond the seas by savage or 
half-civilized people, who for untold centuries have 
been ground beneath the iron heel of caste, poverty, 
and governmental tyranny. Among all these, as 
well as many other nations, past and present, a sys- 
tem of murder has prevailed still more atrocious. I 
allude to ante-natal murder, to the destruction of the 
foetus in utero, or its forced premature expulsion. 
This form of murder appears to have been reserved 
as a refinement of crime for people far advanced in 
education, civilization, and the arts. It prevailed in 
ancient Greece and Rome — flourished as a means of 
securing small families, and thus enabling the women 
of Pompeii and Herculaneum to devote themselves to 
a life of voluptuous ease and fashion. This form of 
murder has been instrumental in calling down the 
wrath of God upon many of the most splendid courts 
of continental Europe, and in no small degree assisted 
to produce that effeminate condition of constitution 
that has well-nigh rendered extinct many once noble 
and powerful families. 

Among no people upon whom the sun has shone 
since the morning stars sang together for joy at the 
creation has this form of infanticide been so univer- 
sally practiced by all classes as among the native 
American population of the United States during the 
last few years. Startling as this statement may ap- 
pear, we believe it is an awfully appalling truth, that 



PREVALENCE OF CHILD-MURDER. 375 

Its Fearful Prevalence in this Country. 

should be brought home with full force to the con- 
science, and held up in all its enormity, that this 
Herod of the noon of the nineteenth century may be 
induced to sheath his sword, already so deeply stained 
with the blood of murdered innocents. We may be 
charged with having over-estimated the prevalence 
of this vice. We think we are correct, from twenty 
years' observation in practice, extensive converse and 
correspondence with physicians, druggists, and clergy- 
men, and the statements of men whose opportunity for 
observation has been better than our own, all of whom 
testify to the wide-spread prevalence of this crime. 

Rev. Dr. Todd, in his article on Fashionable Mur- 
der, says: "If any of my lady readers should com- 
plain of a want of delicacy, I beg them to remembei 
three facts : first, that the practice is fearfully com- 
mon ; second, that probably they are every week 
associating with those who are guilty of the practice; 
and, third, that seventy-five per cent, of all the abor- 
tions produced are caused and effected by females. 
What, then, of delicacy !" The Doctor then goes on 
to say, in substance, that he fears our native popu- 
lation is being sensibly diminished from this cause. 
Almost every paper, in city and village, throughout 
the land, offers medicine, to be effectual, "from what- 
ever causes." "New York city alone has over four 
hundred establishments fitted up and advertised as 
places where women may resort to effect the end 



376 woman's monitor. 



More Common Among Protestants than Catholics. Awful Effects. 



desired. These are well known, and abundantly pat- 
ronized." This vice is more prevalent among Prot- 
estants than among Catholics ; not that Protestant- 
ism encourages or connives at the vice, but the Church 
having no decrees on the subject, her people appear 
ignorant of its guilt. Dr. H. R. Storer, in his excel- 
lent little book, entitled "Why Not," says : "Forced 
abortions in America are of very frequent occur- 
rence ; and this frequency is rapidly increasing, not 
in the cities alone, but also in the country districts." 
In many localities the number of abortions will be 
found to largely exceed the natural births. From 
a desire to escape for sometime after marriage, abor- 
tion is artificially induced ; chronic uterine leucorrhoea 
results. Offended Nature may ever after refuse to 
complete the work of human development, where the 
uterus has been ruthlessly invaded, and an unfinished 
immortal creature plucked from the workshop of Nat- 
ure, and from under the workmanship of the Divine 
hand. Hence the woman who has once secured an 
abortion may afterward be barren from repeated mis- 
carriages until the inroads of disease shall consign 
her shattered and suffering body to the keeping of 
the tomb. 

ITS CRIMINALITY. 

Many persons are disposed to believe that the 
destruction of the child in the womb, especially if 



ITS CRIMINALITY. 377 



Criminality of Ante-Natal Infanticide. 



effected at a very early period, is not murder. They 
appear to have a vague idea that it may be wrong, 
and that the sinfulness increases with the stage of 
development of the new creature. That it ever ac- 
quires the magnitude of a great crime they deny. 
Legislators have fallen into this error, and in some 
of the States the law makes a distinction between 
quick and not quick with child ; making willful abor- 
tion before that period a misdemeanor, punishable 
with fine, and after quickening, manslaughter, pun- 
ished with a term in the penitentiary. 

Ohio has abrogated this foolish distinction, and by 
her laws it is manslaughter to destroy a living human 
germ at any stage of intra-uterine life; and the aiders 
and abettors of the crime are also punished. The 
germ is endowed with human attributes from the 
moment the fecundated ovum attaches itself to the 
mother's womb, and begins that interesting process 
of progressive development whi-ch forecasts the future 
man or woman. It is not, as some suppose, an ex- 
crescence upon the mother, which might be removed 
at pleasure, provided it could be done without injury 
to her. This position is maintained by the apologists 
for abortion. They claim that the soul is not im- 
parted to the new creature until it breathes the 
breath of life ; endeavoring to sustain it by quoting : 
"The Lord breathed into his nostrils the breath of 
life, and man became a living soul." Adam was not 



378 WOMAN S MONITOR. 

The Right to be Born and the Right to Live. 

made under the laws of -the flesh, but by the miracu- 
lous exercise of Divine energy; and we learn from 
the Holy Scriptures that he was made perfect, in the 
likeness and image of his Maker. God infused into 
him the breath of life, and he became a living soul. 
He was endowed with germ power, capable of trans- 
mitting to posterity a like bodily conformation. We 
do not believe that this text refers to the breathing 
of atmospheric air. If so, then as the breath of life 
is breathed into every living creature, it should im- 
part to them the attributes of immortality — a posi- 
tion not likely to be assumed by the advocates of this 
doctrine. From such considerations we argue that 
the child's right to be born is as absolute as its right 
to live after it is born. True, children are created in 
obedience to the laws of the flesh. In the mutual 
exercise of the passions or affections they are be- 
gotten. But are they on this account less sparks 
struck from the great flint of humanity by the Divine 
hand? Are they not endowed with vital fire, and 
the elements of a glorious immortality, capable of in- 
finite development from the first moment of their 
intra-uterine existence? From that time onward they 
grow, develop, and unfold their attributes, with ever- 
increasing evidence of innate humanity, until the 
full-grown man or woman stands forth, clothed in 
their God-given regalia of strength, beauty, and in- 
telligence. Pray tell me at what stage of this in- 



ITS CRIMINALITY. 379 



The Immortal Principle Planted at Time of Conception. 



teresting process is the immortal principle implanted 
in human nature, if not at the moment of conception, 
which, in a physiological sense, means when the 
fecundated ovum attaches itself to the mother's womb? 
Do you say it has no independent existence? Very 
true. Is that any reason why it may be ruthlessly 
torn, with bloody hands, from its mysterious abode, 
and, when in the very act of unfolding its human 
powers, be hurled back into nothingness ? that the 
soul should be deprived of that period of earthly pro- 
bation designed by Omnipotence for every son and 
daughter of Adam ? What wonder that disease and 
death should follow in the wake of this mighty evil! 
If mothers and their abettors in this crime escape 
the damnation of hell, it will be because wide-spread 
ignorance and perverted public sentiment has weak- 
ened their moral obligations, or through the amazing 
mercy of Him who renders good for evil, and for- 
gives to the uttermost all who truly repent. It has 
been urged that there is no life until the period of 
quickening. Every physiologist knows that quicken- 
ing is but the first appreciable manifestation of life. 
The reason infants do not manifest their presence by 
sensible signs sooner than the eighteenth week is that 
they are too small before that time to make their 
feeble struggles sensible to the mother. 

This period of quickening varies with the strength 
of the child. The period of viability also varies, that 



380 WOMAN'S MONITOR. 



The Period of Quickening and the Period of Viability. 



is, the age at which a child may live if born. This 
must depend upon the vigor of the young creature. 
We are quite sure that thousands of mothers lose 
their health, and they, or their friends, and sometimes 
the family physician, commit dark and damning crime 
from ignorance of the true nature of intra-uterine 
life. We know several physicians who, a- few years 
ago, we have reason to suppose, were not proof 
against the urgent demand of a wealthy friend or an 
influential patron; but having since looked carefully 
into the nature of intra-uterine life, and adopted the 
theory sustained alike by religion and philosophy, 
that the soul is imparted at the moment of concep- 
tion, and with their present views as to the nature of 
the foetus, could not be induced to do what they may 
have regarded at one time, under like circumstances, 
as a duty, for all the wealth of California. More 
than this, women, who have with their own hands 
desecrated their own bodies and destroyed their own 
children, having become acquainted with the dreadful 
nature of the crime they had committed, have been 
lashed by an upbraiding conscience until frail, shat- 
tered reason tottered on its throne, and the lovely 
creatures who but a few years before were the gay- 
est of the gay, in shrieking mania dragged out a few 
brief months in the lunatic asylum — madness per- 
petuated by uterine disease, caused by infanticide. 
The tombstone now marks the spot where sleeps 



ITS CRIMINALITY. 381 



Terrible Effects of Abortions upon the Mother. 



their mortal remains. Would to God this was a 
fancy sketch ; but, alas, it is too true ! Nor are these 
cases so unfrequent as the casual observer may sup- 
pose. True, all do not reach the mad-house, on the 
way to a premature grave. Some die of hemorrhage, 
others from cancer of the womb, or ovarian tumors, 
while thousands fall victims to disease produced by 
sympathy with disease of the womb, if not before, 
at the period of "change of life." As a class the 
medical profession are a unit as to the criminality of 
forced abortions. The American Medical Associa- 
tion ordered the essay of Dr. Storer, entitled "Why 
Not?" to be published under the sanction of the 
Society, for the purpose of disseminating knowledge 
on the subject. The Catholic Church, and I believe 
some branches of the Presbyterian denomination, 
have taken action in their official capacity to check 
this swelling tide of disease and death. If all the 
denominations of Christendom should awake to the 
necessity of action, there could be no doubt as to 
their verdict, and the power they could exert would 
be felt for good. The Roman Catholic Bishop of- 
Boston says : " The instant conception takes place, 
there lies the germ of a man ; destined most surely 
by the will of the Creator to be developed into the 
fullness of human existence, and he is a criminal and 
murderer who deals an exterminating blow to the 
incipient man." The Rev. Dr. Todd, after quoting 



382 woman's monitob. 



Infant-Murder after Birth less Censurable than Abortion. 



the Bishop at some length, from which the above 
is an extract, says : " From this it follows that the 
young woman whose virtue has proved an insufficient 
guardian to her honor, when she seeks by abortion 
to save in the eyes of man the honor she has for- 
feited, incurs the additional and deeper guilt of mur- 
der in the eyes of God, the Judge of the living and 
the dead." If these are guilty, what shall we say of 
the mother, married and surrounded by every comfort, 
who for the purpose of increasing her ability to live 
in ease and luxury, or securing leisure to enable her 
to run the giddy round of fashion, imbrues her own 
hands in the blood of her unborn child? Thousands 
do this, ignorant as to the consequences to their 
health and the sinfulness of their course. Let all 
such be warned, that they may sin no more. It is 
certainly less criminal to destroy a child when it has 
been born than to deal it a cowardly blow w T hen the 
sacred privacy of its abiding-place renders the offender 
but too secure from public odium or criminal prosecu- 
tion. Infant murder after birth, as practiced by the 
pagan nations, destroys but one life. The Chris- 
tian refinement of infanticide often destroys both 
mother and child. The child is certainly sacrificed 
and the mother's health injured in all cases. A few in 
consequence of great constitutional vigor, retain toler- 
able health; but for every one who escapes scores are 
rendered miserable for years, often for the remainder 



CAUSES WHICH LEAD TO ABORTION. 383 

An Appeal to American Women. 

of life. Refined, educated American women, will 
you take the hazards to health, to life, to happi- 
ness on earth and sacrifice your chances for im- 
mortal bliss by efforts to escape the consequences of 
the marital relation? We think not if you once be- 
hold this sin in all its enormity. If you have har- 
bored such notions of propriety in the past, banish 
them at once and forever, before health is broken and 
moral purity gone. Would that this practice was con- 
fined to the ignorant and depraved! Not so; it flour- 
ishes best among the cultivated and refined; yes, 
more than this, is sheltered by the veil of secrecy 
within the pale of evangelical Churches, and in many 
instances aided and abetted by those who believe 
themselves called to the w r ork of redeeming the 
world. Read the correspondence of the author of 
" Satan in Society " with a learned and devout divine, 
well known to the reading public, and believe that 
similar perverted notions with reference to this sin 
are not unfamiliar to medical men in many parts of 
this country. 

CAUSES WHICH LEAD TO ABORTION. 

The causes which lead to abortion and the excuses 
pleaded for the practice are various indeed. No physi- 
cian of a few years' experience but could throw-much 
light upon this subject, did not custom and the ne- 
cessity of our profession make the most inviolable 



384 woman's monitor. 



Influences which lead to Abortion. 

secrecy the rule of a physician's life. The suffering, 
diseased victim often reveals to him that which could 
only be wrung from him by the stern mandates of the 
law. He is often prevented from reporting cases of 
great interest to the profession, fearing some one 
might apply them, perhaps unjustly, to their neigh- 
bors, or the feelings of the parties be injured should 
they see the reports. But we may remark that a 
disposition to live elegantly, dress well, and have a 
fine equipage, has rendered popular the use of every 
possible means to secure small families. This cause 
more than any other prompts to abortions among mar- 
ried women. Strange as it may appear, love for 
children is another motive. The mother yearns to 
see her children educated and prosperously started 
in business. She knows full well that the new-comers 
are a tax upon limited resources, and she desires to 
prevent further increase, that she may do more for 
those to whom she is devoted, and she will sacrifice 
health if need be to prevent or destroy the offspring 
which in a few brief months she would love with all a 
mother's devotion. Would she do this if she believed 
it was a crime? Many suppose they are justified in 
seeking relief because some ignorant medical man has 
told them that they would die if they had another 
child. Their first labor was tedious and painful, per- 
haps made so by ignorant meddling. What won 
der if they should believe the doctor, and seek to 



CAUSES WHICH LEAD TO ABORTION. 385 

Influences Continued. Mistaken Views. 

escape by abortion! Ninety-nine chances to the hun- 
dred this statement of the doctor, that had caused si 
much alarm, was born of the same ignorance that 
produced or magnified the previous peril. Some 
seek premature delivery under the mistaken idea 
that it is less painful and less dangerous than labor 
at full term. It is time that by proper publications 
and the influence of the medical and clerical pro- 
fessions this error was corrected. Science and ex- 
perience alike proclaim abortion more hazardous, and 
it certainly is more painful. Some seek to abort be- 
cause they fear they will entail upon their offspring 
scrofula, consumption, epilepsy, or other diseases. 
The condition of mind in a female laboring under a 
mania to prevent such entailment is at times enough 
to wring pity from the most obdurate heart, and more 
than a physician would be likely to withstand whose 
principles are not grounded in a deep conviction of 
the truth of the views we have taken as to the nature 
of the crime. If our position is correct, he will an- 
swer as suggested by the author of "Satan in So- 
ciety :" " Good woman, your case is one which elicits 
my deepest sympathy, but the thing you contemplate 
is murder. If you are resolved to avoid the rearing 
of your offspring at all hazards, wait a short time, 
and it will be easy for you to accomplish your pur- 
pose, as a little arsenic or strychnia will do the work. 
You are a good Christian woman, and no one will 

33 



386 woman's monitor. 



Jealousy and Domestic Intranquillity lead to Abortion. 



suspect you; thus you will avoid all danger to your- 
self." 

It is useless to say that this proposition would be 
received with horror, and usually have the desired 
effect, although at times such persons would dismiss 
their physician, declaring they did not believe it a 
crime, and secure a man more pliant to their wishes. 
Too often such men are found — let us hope not at 
present in the rank of the regular profession. 

Jealousy and domestic intranquillity are causes lead- 
ing to abortion. Sometimes the female mind, per- 
verted by disease and mental conflicts, is prone to 
forget those early attachments that once rendered 
her willing to endure pain and privation for him she 
loved. She no longer feels that buoyant hope under 
difficulty. She sees her own heart-sorrow but too 
plainly depicted in the countenance of her children. 
In fact many wives soon cease to love their husbands, 
and do not desire to bear them children. From this 
they shrink with a horror born almost of hate, yet 
they are usually virtuous, because of that love of 
truth and duty that is the crowning glory of woman's 
nature. No wonder such are desirous to escape ma- 
ternity. But where does the cause of this state of feel- 
ing originate ? Occasionally in ill-assorted matches — 
marriages for gain, for influence, or for transient pas- 
sion. Oftener affection true and undying has only 
been smothered by the course pursued by the hus- 



CAUSES WHICH LEAD TO ABORTION. 387 

Love Lost in the Bridal Chamber. 

band toward the wife. Before marriage he was all 
tenderness, all affability, all kindness ; the prize once 
secured, he assumes a dictatorial tone, and claims 
ownership after the manner of the dark ages. She 
asserts her right to herself, to think and act for her- 
self. The result is want of harmony in the house- 
hold. It is also notorious that wives have as a rule 
but little passion, little sexual feeling, and the cause 
must be looked for in the excesses of wedded life. 
If husbands did not approach their wives except at 
such distant intervals as would enable them by kind 
attentions and delicate advances to secure reciprocity 
of feeling, there would be more true devotion on the 
part of women and greater willingness to sustain the 
burden of maternity. Another fact we mention. It 
is this : many a woman loses relish for married life in 
the bridal chamber, from which she emerges lacerated, 
nervous, sick, disappointed, and trembling with fear, 
dreading the returning night, which shall again con- 
sign her to the embraces of brutal lust. I speak 
thus plainly because I utter a great truth. From 
that day he who might have made her happy by 
gentle approaches and exercise of judgment and com- 
mon sense, has destroyed forever all hope of recipro- 
cal passion, if he does not retrace his steps, again 
lay siege to the citadel of her heart, and show by 
due appreciation of her feelings that he is willing to 
sacrifice his wishes to her pleasure. This he will do 



388 woman's monitor. 



Abortions induced by Poverty, Seduction, and Abandonment. 

if he is wise, and he will often find that in a few 
brief months she is won again, and her objections to 
maternity will vanish. It is thus that the errors of 
the wedding-night often prepare the way for de- 
termined efforts at abortion. Poverty is another 
cause which leads to ante-natal murder, especially in 
our large cities, where it is harder for the poor to rise. 
Does this cause stimulate the mother to endeavor in 
this way to prevent raising children to sink into the 
vortex of vice she sees drawing down to perdition 
so many children about her? If there is any excuse 
that could palliate this crime this should cause us to 
regard it with compassion in these victims of desti- 
tution and sorrow. Such are some of the causes 
which lead to criminal abortions, to which we might 
add seduction and abandonment, a cause that will 
continue to lead to infanticide in some form to no 
inconsiderable extent so long as men remain treach- 
erous and women frail. 

THE AGENCIES BY WHICH IT IS ACCOMPLISHED. 

We have already alluded to the newspaper adver- 
tisements of patent female pills and other nostrums, 
which are used by thousands, but with very limited 
success, in securing the end designed. But these 
agents often produce disease — as inflammation and 
congestion of the womb, swell the bills of infant 
mortality by causing their development under dis- 



ABORTIONISTS. 389 

How Abortion is Accomplished. Meddling Woman Abortionists. 

turbing influence, which produce disease. It is com- 
mon for women to drink forcing teas, and use every 
available means to bring on their courses, hoping they 
may not be pregnant. No doubt they sometimes 
succeed ; but much oftener they fail ; only securing 
such disturbance of the delicate embryo as may cause 
it to be deformed by intra-uterine cramps or spasms. 
Such medicine may also lay the foundation for epi- 
lepsy, insanity, or idiocy. We believe such causes 
are more than doubling our bills of infant mortality 
in this way. Also, through the influence of disease 
of the womb from this cause upon future embryo. 
Were this all it would be bad enough ; but every ob- 
serving physician knows that almost every village 
and hamlet has its knowing women, who not only 
secure abortions for themselves, but teach their neigh- 
bors how to accomplish this thing — all very privately, 
of course — but it requires but a little address to un- 
earth such villainy in almost any section of the United 
States. Some of these appear to enter this field with 
missionary zeal. We feel sure they can not realize 
the criminal nature of their schemes, as not a few 
who do these things are virtuous, honored members 
of society, and do not appear to think they are doing 
wrong ; they profess to believe they are discharging 
a duty to their suffering friends. It is not uncom- 
mon for physicians to be consulted by women from 
the better walks of rural life, who are seriously dis- 



390 woman's monitor. 



The Fearful Consequences of Abortions. 



eased from injuries caused by lead-pencils, goose-quills, 
wires, or whale-bones, rudely used by themselves, or 
an officious lady friend, in an effort to dislodge a 
foetus during the early months of pregnancy. Every 
gynecologist of much practice has seen the neck 
of the womb lacerated or punctured by rude attempts 
of this kind. 

THE CONSEQUENCE OF ABORTIONS, 

especially if artificially produced, are to the mother 
as fearful as the character of the outrage against 
nature would seem to suggest. Abortion is liable to 
produce death from loss of blood or anaemia, to be 
followed by uterine neuralgia, by uterine and ovarian 
tumors, by chronic inflammation, with enlargement, 
and all that train of diseases arising out of sympathy 
with a diseased womb — as feeble vision, hysteria, in- 
sanity, palpitation of the heart, dyspepsia, severe 
headache, pains in the limbs and back, irritability of 
the bladder, or fatal cancer. These either destroy 
the patient, or assist the uterine irritation to wear out 
the constitution, and develop consumption or other 
fatal diseases. The consequences to the race are 
feebleness in mind and body, among the host of chil- 
dren who are either injured by fruitless attempts, or 
born from wombs diseased by abortions ; and this 
tide of woe, in the shape of feebleness and disease, 
goes on, widening and deepening as it rolls down to 



THE CONSEQUENCE OF ABORTIONS. 391 

An Appeal to the Clergy, to Medical Men, and to American Mothers. 

posterit}*-, to blight the prospects of coming gener- 
ations with physical, mental, and moral deformity 
In view of these facts we hold it to be the duty 
of the clergy and medical men, as the conservators 
of public health and morals, to exert themselves to 
disseminate correct information among the people 
upon these and kindred subjects, not only by spread- 
ing such books and papers as fearlessly proclaim the 
truth, but by timely precept, and by securing the 
action of ecclesiastical denominations in such a man- 
ner as to directly reach the conscience and the heart 
of at least all professing Christians. In this manner 
public sentiment, which is stronger than law, will be 
changed ; and such influences, assisted by relief as- 
sociations and foundling hospitals in our cities, will 
do much to save our nation from a disgrace as dark 
as any that broods over pagan Asia. 

Christian mothers, let me close this chapter with 
an appeal to you. Have you imbibed that fell spirit 
of destruction that now curses the land ? Reflect 
that science and religion proclaim it murder. Do 
you daily call your children around your knee and 
commend them in prayer to your Heavenly Father ? 
If so, how can you sincerely pray for God's blessing 
upon these, while their brothers and sisters lie mold- 
ering in the garden? — cast aside willfully, just as the 
budding flower of mortal existence was unfolding. 
Is it possible for you, Christian father, to pray in 



392 woman's monitor. 



An Appeal to Christian Fathers. 



faith for the triumph of Christ's kingdom on the 
earth, and the final conversion of heathen idolaters ; 
in distant lands, while you permit and encourage in 
your own family infanticide, as damning in the sight 
of Heaven as that which makes your blood run cold 
when its echoes reach you from beyond the seas ? 
We know that the public conscience has but to be 
aroused to secure a hearty response to the pleading 
in behalf of those helpless creatures who can not 
speak for themselves. 



INDEX 



PAGE. 

Abortion 371 

Criminal 371 

Prevalence of 372 

Its criminality 37G 

Causes which lead to it 383 

Agency by which it is accom- 
plished 388 

Consequences of 390 

Duties of clergy and medical 

men with reference to ... 391 

Evil, how arrested 391 

Abcess, pelvic 138 

Abuses, sexual 168, 174 

Alcoholic stimulants 185 

Anns, fissure of 103 

Fistula 105 

Asthma 316 

Bathing 15 

During maternity 244 

Bath, best time for 15 

Tepid, time for 16 

Plunge 15 

Shower 15 

Sponge 15 

Beds 19 

Big neck 346 

Bladder and urethra, disease of. 107 

Bloody flux 324 

Bite of poisonous snakes 363 

Rabid animals 364 



PAGE. 

Boils 356 

Breasts, diseases of. 153 

Cancer of. 155 

Treatment of 157 

Changes in 233 

Inflammation of 274 

Bronchitis 315 

Bruises 366 

Brown bread most nutritious... 25 

Catarrh 33 

Nasal douche in 36 

Consequences of 34 

Chafed hands 30 

Change of life 85 

Childhood, improper dress in... 174 

Chicken-pox 309 

Child, dwarfing of 243 

Is it male or female 245 

What controls sex of 247 

Theory of 248 

Resuscitation of 260 

Bandage for 265 

Keeping warm 266 

Should not be rocked 268 

Feeding of 281 

Summer complaint of. 317 

Treatment of 319 

Nursing 281 

Strong food forbidden 284 

Chilblains 355 

393 



394 



INDEX. 



PAGE. 

Chloroform 279 

Cholera infantum 3l7 

Cholera morbus 321 

Treatment of 322 

Complexion 30 

Constipation 91 

During maternity 240 

Its consequences 93 

Treatment of 94 

Connubial excess 205 

Convulsions from worms 328 

Cord, dressing of. 264 

Corns 28 

Cordial, neutralizing 323 

Cracked lips 31 

Croup 297 

Cuts 365 

Dandruff, treatment for 42 

Diarrhea 323 

Diarrhea cordial 323 

Diet 23 

Of mothers during nursing.. 280 

Diphtheria 299 

Dislocations 366 

Dress v 11 

Deafness 351 

Dyspepsia 96 

Dysentery 324 

Ears, sore 352 

Ache 352 

Foreign body in 368 

Eating, excesses in 166 

Epileptic convulsions 151 

Exercise 21 

During pregnancy 242 

Examinations, mode of 159 

Eyes 37 

Scrofulous sore 39, 353 

Sore 352 

Sore, from injury 354 

Poultices dangerous in dis- 
eases of. 39 



PAGR. 

Eyes, cross 354 

Ergot, use of 277 

Freckles 31 

Females, miscellaneous diseases 

of 90 

Food 243 

Flannels 13 

Fractures 366 

Frost-bites 355 

Genitals, eruptive disease of... 109 

Inflammation of. 109 

Mucous surface of. 112 

Giddiness 241 

Gonorrhoea 142 

Hair 39 

Oil injurious to 40 

Frequent bathing of 40 

Curling injurious 41 

Treatment for dandruff. 42 

Harelip 354 

Heart, palpitation of. 98 

Headache, sick 99 

Nervous , 100 

Hooping-cough 313 

Vaccination for 314 

Hysteria 150 

Itch, common 358 

Treatment of 359 

Indigestion 283 

Infants, chafed 360 

Introduction 3 

Kidneys, disease of 106 

King's evil 345 

Labor, excessive *. 180 

Pain in, how diminished 244 

Causes which protract 247 

Time of expected 247 

Preparation for 219 



INDEX. 



395 



PAGE. 

Labor, symptoms of approach of. 252 

Actual 252 

Duration of 254 

Duty of physicians and at- 
tendants in 258 

Lacing 12 

Leucorrhoea 141 

Living, fast 178 

Maternity, duration of 246 

Measles 306 

Sirup, expectorant in 307 

Bastard 308 

Menstruation 46 

Suppression, mechanical 48 

from closure vagina 50 

from disease 51 

from congestion 53 

Excessive 55 

from debility 56 

from congestion and in- 
flammation 58 

from miscellaneous causes. 59 

Painful 60 

treatment of. 63 

from obstruction 64 

from congestion and in- 
flammation 65 

treatment of 67 

Midwifery, meddlesome 258, 276 

Milk, quality depends on diet... 280 
Influence of mother's mind on 280 

Table of analysis of. 282 

Miscarriages 237 

Danger of to mother 239 

Mother, directions for 269 

Physic, time to give 272 

Diet during nursing 280 

Mother's mark 220 

Moles 361 

Mumps 312 

Nails 29 

Narcotic stimulus 181 



PAGE. 

Nasal douche „ 35 

Nipples, attention to 273 

Nose, foreign bodies in 368 

Opium 184 

Ovaria, inflammation of. 137 

Abscess of 138 

Ovarian disease 136 

Ozena 35 

Palpitation of the heart 98 

Passions, depressing 181 

Pepsin for indigestion 284 

Phthisic 316 

Physical and mental depression 168 
As exciting causes of disease 171 

Climatic influence on 171 

Piles 102 

Poisons 362 

Pregnancy 229 

Symptoms of 232 

Diseases of 236 

Accidents of. 236 

Pruritus 107 

Puberty 71 

Ageof 72 

Care required at 75 

Putrid sore throat 300 

Quickening 234 

Quinsy 348 

Rabid animals 364 

Rickets 295 

Ringworm 356 

Rooms, small, bad effect of 18 

Small, bad for the sick 19 

Sick, should be well venti- 
lated 19 

Rupture 367 

Santonins for worms 329 

Scald head 348 

Treatment of 350 



396 



INDEX. 



PAGE. 

Scalds and burns 360 

Scarlet fever ... ^ 301 

Symptoms of 302 

Prevention of 803 

Lard, inunction in 304 

Scrofula 341 

Treatment of 344 

Secret vice 83 

Sex, predominant desire directs. 248 
Sexual frauds and connubial 

excesses 168, 188 

Skin, treatment of. 28 

Sleep...... 16 

Amount required 17 

When to be taken 17 

Shoes, tight 14 

Gaiters 14 

Gum 14 

Thin-soled 14 

Speculum, use of. 164 

Sprains 366 

Sore mouth 287 

Soothing sirups dangerous 285 

Epilepsy from 286 

Insanity from 286 

Convulsions from 286 

Appetite for 286 

Sterility 211 

Teeth 32 

Teething 292 

Period of first dentition 292 

Period of second dentition... 293 

Treatment for 294 

Tetter 357 

Tape-worm 333 

Origin measly pork 334 

Tight lacing 165 

Tobacco.. 182 

Tonsils, enlarged 346 

Trachina spiralis 337 

Symptoms 338 

Treatment for 338 

Transmission, hereditary 213 



PACT. 

Twins, will there be. 245 

Tympanitis..... 100 

Urinary difficulties 339 

Uterus and ovaries 44 

Vaccination 289 

Age for 290 

Course of pustule 290 

Vagina, prolapsus 134 

Fistula 135 

Ventilation 18 

Wakefulness 242 

Warts 361 

Weaning, proper age for 288 

Windpipe, foreign body in 370 

Womb, diseases of neck 112 

Treatment of 114 

Acute inflammation of 117 

Chronic inflammation of 118 

Tumors * 121 

Polypus 123 

Cancer of. 123 

Products of conception of..... 125 

Displacements of. 127 

Prolapsus 130 

treatment of 130 

Anteversion of. 132 

Retroversion 133 

Other displacements 134 

Women, diseases of 43 

Causes of disease among 165 

Worm, tape 332 

Broad tape 333 

Ribbon-like tape 332 

Origin derived from uncook- 
ed meat 334 

Treatment of 335 

Worms 325 

Variety of.. 325 

Origin of. 326 

Symptoms of 328 

Long round 328 



INDEX. 



397 



PAGE. 

Worms, treatment for 328 

Convulsions from 328 

Santonine for 329 

Wounds, poisonous, from bees.. 363 
Scorpion stings 363 



PAGE. 

Wounds, bite from poisonous 

snakes ... 363 

Wounds, punctured 365 

When to marry 222 

Whom to marry— , 225 



GLOSSARY. 



Abdomen. The cavity containing the bowels. 
Abnormal. Irregular, unhealthy. 
Accoucheur. One who practices the art of midwifery. 
Amenorrhea. Suppression of the menses. 
Ancesthesia. A state of insensibility to pain. 

Animalcule. A small animal ; well seen only by means of the microscope. 
Antispasmodics. Remedies for spasms, or convulsions. 
Anteversion. Tipping forward. 

Apoplexy. Sudden loss of sensation, consciousness, and voluntary mo- 
tion, from some cause operating within the head. 
Atrophy. Wasting of a part without any sensible cause. 

Bronchia. The subdivisions of the trachea in the lungs. 

Bronchitis. An inflammation of the surface of the air-tube in the lungs. 

Carbon. An elementary combustible substance, the basis of charcoal. 

Cellular. Composed of cells. 

Chemico- Vital. Chemical changes under the influences of vital action. 

Coma. A state of stupor. 

Connubial. Pertaining to marriage; belonging to the state of husband 

and wife. 
Correlation. Reciprocal relation; the dependence of one thing upon 

another. 
Cysticercus Celluloses. Germs of entozoa found in cellular membrane. 

Diathesis. A tendency to some special and peculiar disease. 
Dysmenorrhea. Painful menstruation. 

Eczema. An eruption of small vesicles on various parts of the skin. 
Entozone. Worms. 

Fallopian Tube. A canal extending on each side from the superior angles 

of the uterus. 
Fibroids. Tumors resembling the fibrous, with malignant tendencies. 

398 



GLOSSARY. 399 

Fistula. An unnatural track or passage established between adjacent 

viscera. 
Flexion of Uterus. Bending of the uterus upon itself. 
Foetus. The unborn child. 
Fontanel. Opening of the head in a new-born child. 

Gynecology. The doctrine of the nature and diseases of women. 

Hemorrhage. A discharge of blood from vessels destined to contain it. 

Hygiene. Health, or the art or science of preserving health. 

Hymen. A semilunar fold situated at the outer orifice of the vagina ir 

virgins. 
Hypertrophy. Excessive nutrition of a part, causing enlargement. 
Hypochondriac. One entertaining absurd notions with regard to their 

condition or health. 

Interstitial. Pertaining to or containing interstices. 
Interstice. A space between things. 
Intranquillity. Want of rest. 

Labyrinth. The inner ear. 

Leucorrhoza. A flow of mucus from the genital organs of the female — 
whites. 

Mammary. Kelating to the breasts. 

Maternity. The character or relation of a mother. 

Menses. The regular monthly flow. 

Menstruation. The flow of the monthly period, or menses. 

Nervo- Vital. The magnetic life-force generated in the brain. 

Organic. Relating to an organ or organs. 
Ovarian Stroma. Substance of the ovary. 
Ovaries. The organs in which the ova, or eggs, are formed. 
Ovaritis. Inflammation of the ovary. 

Ovulation. The formation of ova in the ovary, and the discharge of the 
same. 

Paralysis. Loss of voluntary motion. 

Parturition. The act of bringing forth young — delivery. 

Pelvic Abscess. A collection of pus in a cavity in the pelvic region. 

Pelvis. The part of the trunk which bounds the abdomen below. 

Physiological. Relating to the science of life. 

Phosphates. Combination of phosphorus with various bases, forming salts. 

Phosphorus. An elementary substance not metallic. 

Polypoids. Soft vascular tumors on mucous membranes. 

Prolapsus Uteri. Falling of the womb. 



400 GLOSSARY. 

Retroversion. Tipping backward. 

Resuscitation. . The act of reviving from a state of apparent death. 

Saliva. A liquid secreted from the glands about the mouth, designed to 

moisten it and the food eaten. 
Sanguineous. Relating to or containing blood. 

Spermatic Molecule. Minute living germs found in the spermatic fluid. 
Spermatic Fluid. The fertilizing principle of the male. 
Sterility. Barrenness, unfruitfulness. 
Syphilis. Is an infectious disease, communicable by the contact of parts. 

Trachea. That portion of the wind-pipe passing through the neck. 
Trichina Spiralis. A species of entozoa found in muscles of swine and 

other animals. 
Trichiniasis. A disease caused by the presence of Trichina. 

Uterus. The womb. 

Uterine Colic. Severe pain in the womb. 

Urethra. The passage leading from the bladder. 

Vitalizing. Furnishing with the vital principle. 

Vesicles. An elevation of the cuticle containing lymph or serum. 




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DR. ENTRIKIN'S NEW BOOK, 

"WOMAN'S MONITOR" 

IS the ripe product of a very extensive and successful practice of 
over twenty years as a Physician and Surgeon. 
It teaches the laws of life in health and disease. 
It points out those errors which lead to sickness and death. 
It teaches how to avoid disease and how to cure many common 



It is a ready reference in accidents and sudden emergencies. 
It is highly recommended by the clergy and medical men, be- 
cause the moral tone is high and the information reliable. 
Read the following extracts and testimonials: 



"Woman's Monitor'' is evidently the 
production of a clever, thoughtful, and 
sagacious physician. Every chapter is re- 
plete with practical instruction, and car- 
ries the impress of heing the composition 
of an acute and experienced mind. The 
whole hook teems with solid instruction, 
and shows the very highest evidence of 
ahility ; namely, the clearness with which 
the information is presented. The most 
elementary as well as obscure subjects un- 
der the pencil of the Doctor are isolated, 
and made to stand out in such bold relief 
as to make distinct impressions upon the 
mind and memory of the reader.— D. J. 
McGachey, 31. D. t Marion, 0. 

I can cheerfully recommend " Woman's 
Monitor" and indorse its teachings. The 
style and manner are chaste, full, and to 
the point, and can not fail to benefit many. 
Every mother should read it, so that she 
might impart intelligibly such knowledge 
as is necessary to prepare her offspring for 
greater and higher usefulness. — Geo. Kerr, 
M. D., Philadelphia, Penn. 

A careful examination of this work more 
than ever convinces us that it should have 
a place in every family. While many of 
the subjects upon which it treats are deli- 
cate, they have been handled with that 
tact and skill which, while it is entirely 
void of offense to the most critical taste, 
is plain and not to be misunderstood. It 
is an excellent treatise upon the most im- 
portant subjects of life, and should be in 
every family. — Religious Telescope, Day- 
ton, Ohio. 



We have carefully examined Dr. Entri- 
kin's book, and find it to be a work very 
much needed in every family. It is writ- 
ten in a plain but chaste style, and deals 
forcibly with facts as the author finds 
them. It is a companion book to the 
"Physical Life of Woman," but in many 
respects is far better than that excellent 
work.— Tiffin Star. 

" Woman's Monitor " is a valuable med- 
ical work. The author is a physician of 
skill and experience, unbounded energy, 
and wonderful talent for communicating 
knowledge to others.— Tiffin Tribune. 

It is impossible to particularize in a 
brief notice like this, and we can only 
add our commendation to that of hun- 
dreds of others, and, like them, testify to 
the peculiar excellence of this treatise 
upon the most important subjects of life. 
The book should be in every family. — 
New London Record. 

From Rev. Truckamiller, late Pastor Lu- 
theran Church, Carey, O. 

" Woman's Monitor " is such a work as 
the age demands. Dr. Entrikin has done 
a great service to the people by furnishing 
them with reliable medical advice. As a 
guide to maiden, wife, and mother it is 
invaluable. Delicate subjects are treated 
in a chaste manner. The work is a valu- 
able addition to our literature. It should 
find its way into every library. 

Mrs. Truckamiller has studied it well, 
and adds: -'It is true in what it states 
and noble in what it advocates. 1 ' 



The most liberal per cent ever given agents will be paid to ener- 
getic, active persons who will make thorough work. A few General 
Agents wanted. Address 

F. W. ENTRIKIN & CO., 

GREEN SPRINOS, OHIO.. 



